[Regnum] In April 2025, Tatarstan will begin to conduct a census of brown bears, after which applications will begin to be collected for hunting the animal, which was previously excluded from the Red Book. This was reported on March 26 by the Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan for Bioresources Ramil Sharafutdinov.
Brown bear hunting is carried out in spring and autumn. At the moment, this cannot be done on the territory of the republic, since the quota has not yet been determined.
"After conducting the analysis, we will be able to say the approximate number of brown bears in September. After the census is completed, it will be necessary to compare the numbers and collect applications," Sharafutdinov said during a press conference at the Tatar-inform news agency.
According to him, the limits and quotas for harvesting in a certain season will be determined based on the number of bears. The deputy chairman noted that the habitat of brown bears is expanding in the republic. They come from the territory of Bashkortostan, Udmurtia, Mari El and the Kirov region. Previously, the animals lived in the Sabinsky, Mamadyshsky, Kukmorsky, Rybno-Slobodsky and Arsky districts of Tatarstan, he added.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, in 2023, a bill was introduced to the State Duma to increase fines for violating hunting rules. In the same year, a draft law was adopted on the mandatory passing of an exam to obtain a hunting license; the law will come into force on September 1, 2025. It is noted that the knowledge and skills of candidates will be tested by the executive authorities of the corresponding Russian region.