Bear hunting season commences in Nizhny Novgorod region
In the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, the hunting season for bears is set to commence on August 1, 2025, and conclude on December 31, 2025. The region's Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Protection has announced the details of this season, which includes a limit of 399 individuals, including 17 bears living in publicly accessible hunting grounds.
The permit to hunt in these grounds will be obtained through a special lottery system, taking place online on the 'Digital Forest' platform on a date yet to be announced. The process for applying and the specific lottery date will be provided by the local regional Ministry of Natural Resources or hunting management authorities.
Hunters must adhere to both fire safety rules and established hunting regulations. Fire safety regulations in the region include prohibiting open fires in forested and hunting areas during the dry season or high fire risk periods. Hunters are required to carry fire extinguishing means and must immediately report any fire to local authorities. Smoking is restricted outside designated areas.
During the special fire prevention regime in the region's forests, it is prohibited to light campfires, conduct agricultural burning, or burn trash. Violations of fire safety rules can result in fines for both citizens and legal entities. Fines for citizens can reach 50,000 rubles, while fines for legal entities can reach 1 million rubles.
Hunters must also follow the established hunting rules. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, bears younger than one year and female bears with cubs of the current year are not permitted to be hunted. Violations of hunting rules can lead to criminal responsibility under Article 258 of the RF Criminal Code, with compensation for damage to wildlife objects at 180,000 rubles for a male and 300,000 rubles for a female.
If fire danger conditions reach class IV or V, all visits to the forest will be banned. Officials violating fire safety rules can face fines of up to 90,000 rubles.
According to state monitoring, there are currently 1,521 bears in the Nizhny Novgorod forests. This marks an increase from the previous years, with 1,448 bears recorded in 2024 and 1,347 bears in 2023.
For precise rules specific to the 2025 season in the Nizhny Novgorod region, including official lottery dates, permit issuance guidelines, and detailed fire safety measures, contacting the local regional Ministry of Natural Resources or hunting management authorities is recommended. They provide the official regulations annually before the hunting season begins.
To report a forest fire, contact the direct line of the forestry service at 8 (800) 100-94-00 or the regional forest management dispatch service at 8 (831) 430-01-23. Calls are accepted 24/7.
I'm not gonna participate in the hunting season for bears in the Nizhny Novgorod region, as I'm more interested in sports and recreational activities.
Despite the increase in the bear population in the Nizhny Novgorod forests, I'd rather watch sports than spend my time on a hunting ground.
