The spring bear hunting season has started in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      On March 21, 2026, at 11:50 Society In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the spring hunting season for bears started on March 21. It will last until June 10, the regional Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Protection reported. The agency reminded that bear hunting requires special preparation and caution — it is the largest predator inhabiting the region. In spring, hunting by approach is allowed. It is mandatory to have a hunting ticket and a permit for hunting. During nighttime, any lighting devices can be used. Throughout the season, hunters must wear high-visibility signaling clothing. It is also necessary to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from residential houses and public roads. According to state monitoring, the population of brown bears in the region is gradually increasing. If in 2023 there were 1,347 individuals in the forest fund, by 2025 their number had already reached 1,521. The highest number of bears is found in the Varnavinsky district — 204 individuals. In the Voskresensky district, there are 202, in the Semyonovsky district — 180, and in the Vetluzhsky district — 160. The ministry also emphasized that hunters must strictly adhere to established rules and quotas. It is prohibited to hunt bear cubs younger than one year, as well as females with cubs born in the current year. Illegal hunting is subject to criminal liability. In addition, violators will have to compensate for the damage caused: 180,000 rubles for a male and 300,000 rubles for a female. Earlier, it was reported that permits for hunting feathered game were being issued in the Nizhny Novgorod region as part of the spring hunting season. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+