Belarus is still a truly authentic hunting destination, where unspoiled nature prevails and human presence remains discreet. Here, among boreal forests, winding rivers, and endless marshes, lives the European beaver, the undisputed protagonist of thrilling hunting adventures.
The Belarusian habitat is a real paradise for hunters: wetlands, silent canals, flooded woods, and riverbanks shaped by the tireless work of these large rodents offer ideal settings for selective and sustainable hunting. The best periods? Late autumn and late winter, when nature falls quiet and beaver movements become more predictable.
The Return of the European Beaver: Between Wildlife Management and Hunting Tradition
After centuries of absence, the European beaver (Castor fiber) has returned with increasing stability to the wetlands, rivers, and lakes of our continent. This extraordinary rodent, a true architect of nature, has silently reclaimed the territories it once inhabited, altering ecosystems through dams and dens along riverbanks. Its comeback, warmly welcomed by naturalists and environmentalists, now poses new challenges for coexistence and wildlife management, especially in areas where overpopulation is beginning to cause conflicts with agriculture, water infrastructure, and local biodiversity.
In this context, management hunting of the beaver is practiced in several European regions, in compliance with strict scientific protocols and local laws. When conducted ethically and respectfully, this activity not only helps maintain environmental balance but also allows hunters to reconnect with an ancient hunting tradition centered on a fascinating and surprising animal.
Polesia: The Wild Heart of the Pripyat
In the south of the country, the legendary Pripyat Marshes host one of the highest concentrations of beavers in Europe. Here, one can experience pure hunting, deep within alluvial forests and waterways teeming with life, guided by experienced local rangers. Hunting typically takes place at dusk, with hunters setting up near dams or tracking beavers along secondary canals. In addition to beavers, this area also offers opportunities to hunt moose, wild boar, deer, foxes, and wolves.
Northern Lakes and Braslav Reserve: Diverse Landscapes and Game
Heading north toward the Braslav Lakes, hunting becomes enriched by lake scenery, peat bogs, and mixed forests. Beavers are widely present and easily observed, but other game is also abundant: red deer, roe deer, moose, wild boar, and waterfowl. The national park organizes guided outings with accommodation in remote nature lodges.
Berezinsky: Beavers, Wolves, and the Thrill of the Bison
In the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, in addition to beavers, hunters can pursue deer species and predators like wolves, under tight regulation. The hunting grounds, located on the edge of the protected zone, offer one of the most exciting hunting experiences in Europe: you cross untouched riverine landscapes, dotted with visible signs of beaver activity. The presence of the European Big Five (bison, moose, bear, wolf, lynx) makes each expedition an adventure.
Selyava Reserve: Lakeside Elegance and Sunset Hunts
In the central-northern part of the country, around the enchanting Lake Selyava, regulated hunting outings take place in peaceful, scenic environments. Beavers, deer, and roe deer are the main targets, with strategic setups near dams and ponds. In autumn, the area is also well-known for the migration of wild geese. Hunts alternate with relaxing moments in traditional cabins and hunting lodges overlooking lakes glowing in the boreal twilight.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha: Hunting Among Ancient Oaks
In the mythical Belovezhskaya Forest, on the border with Poland, controlled hunting is permitted. Here, among the ancient trees of this primeval forest, hunters may pursue large ungulates such as bison, moose, deer, and wild boar. Beavers are less central but can still be found in side streams. The atmosphere is unique: surrounded by legend and ancient silence, every outing becomes a journey through time.
Osveisky: Hunting Amid Northern Lakes and Morning Mist
The Osveisky Landscape Reserve, in the remote northern region, is renowned for waterfowl hunting and beaver tracking along canals. Local forest lodges manage vast controlled hunting areas, and the landscapes — with misty sunrises and fiery sunsets — form the perfect backdrop to an authentic adventure filled with the sounds and scents of the wild.
Beaver Hunting in Belarus: Rules and Organization
Beaver hunting is legal and well-regulated in Belarus. The season runs from September 1st to March 31st, with selective harvesting aimed at maintaining ecological balance. The most common method is dusk or night-time stand hunting, near dams or beaver trails along waterways.
Foreign hunters must rely on specialized hunting tour operators, who provide assistance with permits, guides, weapon rentals, and temporary licenses. Valid hunting insurance is also required. Use of personal firearms is allowed with the proper import permits.
Local providers offer complete packages: transfers from Minsk, riverside or village lodges, expert guides, interpreters, local cuisine, and optional activities (birdwatching, fishing, excursions). Every detail is designed to provide a respectful, immersive, and fully supported hunting experience.
Frank’s Beaver Hunt: Into the Wild Heart of Polesia
“I had always dreamed of Belarus. Not the cities, museums, or monuments—but the endless swamps, slow-flowing rivers beneath low skies, forests where man is only a quiet guest. For years I had read hunting stories set in this forgotten corner of Europe, and each one stirred a deep desire within me: to go. To see. To live it.”
So, after months of planning, one autumn day I boarded a flight to Minsk. Waiting for me at the airport was Alexander, a local guide—reserved but kind, with clear eyes and hands that spoke of trees, mud, and wild game. We loaded the gear into a jeep and headed south, along roads that grew narrower with every mile, passing villages with tin roofs, endless fields, and finally, the first glimmers of open water. The Pripyat Marshes welcomed us with their apparent stillness and dense, mossy silence.
The lodge was a small wooden house overlooking the river. Few comforts, but everything you really need. That evening, in front of a crackling fire and with a steaming cup in hand, Alexander told me about active beaver dams spotted in recent days. We mapped out the route for the next day. And with my heart already racing ahead of the night, I went to bed early: I wanted to be ready.
The alarm rang while it was still dark outside. As we moved into the flooded forest, the world felt suspended: a milky fog wrapped everything, the ground gave way underfoot, and only the muffled sounds of our boots broke the stillness. Following Alexander was like following a wild animal—he moved with astonishing ease, pointing out signs I would never have noticed: fresh tracks, gnawed tree trunks, prints along the muddy bank.
After about an hour, we reached a quiet spot where the canal widened. In front of us, a perfectly built dam blocked the water. We settled between two alder trees, hidden in the vegetation. And then, we waited.
Time slowed. The sky began to turn orange, and shadows grew longer. Just as the light dimmed and the forest seemed to hold its breath—I saw him. He emerged from the water almost without a ripple, swimming with the confidence of a creature at home. It was magnificent. I stayed motionless, watching him move with that calm industriousness only beavers seem to possess. Then, without overthinking it, I raised my rifle, took a deep breath, and fired.
The shot broke the silence, and then, as if in response, silence returned. I stayed there a while longer, quiet. My heart was pounding, but not from adrenaline. It was something deeper—something tied to respect, to the raw beauty of that ancient gesture.
That evening, back at the lodge, Alexander served a warm meal, and we toasted with vodka. Outside, the wind rattled the windows. Inside, I replayed that moment: the beaver, the forest, the light through the trees. It wasn’t just the satisfaction of a successful hunt. It was the pride of having participated in the life of that place without disturbing it, without violating it. A silent, conscious, human passage.
Since then, whenever I hear the sound of running water or the rustling of trees, my thoughts drift back to Pripyat, to that hunt, to that evening.
And I know I’ll return someday.”
Types of Beaver Hunting in Belarus
Beaver hunting in Belarus can be practiced primarily in two ways:
1. Evening or Night Stand Hunting
This method involves waiting in ambush near dams or feeding grounds during the twilight or nighttime hours, when beavers are most active. It requires patience and silence, as beavers are cautious and alert animals.
2. Winter Trapping
In winter, when waterways are partially frozen, authorized traps can be strategically placed along common beaver paths. This method is tightly regulated and requires specific permits.
Both methods must comply with local regulations and aim to maintain ecological balance.
Recommended Weapons and Calibers for Beaver Hunting
For beaver hunting, lightweight and maneuverable rifles are recommended, especially given the aquatic and wooded environments.
Suggested calibers include:
- .22 Long Rifle: Suitable for short-range shots; offers accuracy with minimal recoil.
- .223 Remington: Provides a flat trajectory and good effectiveness on small to medium-sized game.
- .243 Winchester: Versatile, with greater range—also suitable for slightly larger prey.
It’s essential to use controlled-expansion bullets for ethical and immediate takedown. Quality optics are also important, especially given the low-light conditions typical of dusk or night hunts.
Traditional Beaver Meat Recipes
While not commonly consumed in most cultures, beaver meat is valued in some culinary traditions for its rich flavor and versatility. In Belarus, however, there are no widely known traditional beaver recipes. Interestingly, in Canada, “beaver tails” are popular sweet fried pastries—named after the shape, not the animal.
Those curious to experiment with beaver meat can adapt game stew or roast recipes, using preparation methods similar to other wild meats. Proper cooking and food safety precautions are essential due to the wild origin of the meat.
Woodsman’s Style Beaver Stew (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of beaver meat (shoulder or boneless leg), aged and cleaned
- 2 yellow onions
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 250 ml full-bodied red wine
- 500 ml game or beef stock
- 3 tbsp olive oil or lard
- 1 tbsp flour
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 6 crushed juniper berries (optional)
- 200 g mixed mushrooms (porcini, champignon, or wild; fresh or soaked if dried)
Preparation:
Optional Marinade: Cut meat into large chunks and marinate overnight with red wine, sliced onion, a bay leaf, juniper, and thyme. Drain and pat dry, reserving the strained liquid.
Searing: In a large pot, heat oil or lard and brown the meat thoroughly. Remove and set aside.
Sautéing: In the same pot, cook chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for about 10 minutes. Add flour and stir well.
Slow Cooking: Return the meat to the pot. Add tomato paste, red wine (or marinade), hot broth, herbs, and juniper. Cover and cook on low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Adding Mushrooms: After 90 minutes, add mushrooms (sautéed separately if fresh, soaked if dried). Cook until meat is tender and sauce has thickened.
Serving: Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rustic polenta, or toasted black bread. A sprinkle of black pepper and fresh thyme adds the perfect finish.
Wine Pairing: Choose a bold, spicy red like Lagrein, Aglianico, Canadian Pinot Noir, or Syrah.
Your Beaver Hunting Experience in Belarus
If you dream of a true hunting adventure, far from crowded destinations, beaver hunting in Belarus is the experience for you. Flooded forests, deep silences, blazing sunsets, and the thrill of tracking one of Europe’s most fascinating animals await you.
The best seasons are just around the corner—contact us now to plan your trip, complete with expert guides, nature-immersed lodges, and full organizational support for an unforgettable journey.
