Belarus hunting tourism booms with more foreign hunters in 2025

Belarus sees record surge in foreign hunters as wildlife populations boom

Belarus has witnessed a surge in hunting tourism, with a notable rise in foreign visitors and a boost in revenue. The country has designated November as the dedicated month for hunting tourism, attracting hunters from across Europe and beyond.

In the first ten months of 2025, Belarus registered 1,012 foreign hunting tours, more than doubling the 890 tours recorded in all of 2024. This growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of hunting tourism in the country, with revenues surging by around 130%.

The rise in hunting tourism has been accompanied by an increase in wildlife populations. The red deer population, for instance, has grown more than tenfold over the past 20 years. This growth, along with the rise in numbers of lynxes and bears, has prompted Belarusian authorities to permit their hunting.

Most foreign hunters in Belarus come from Russia and other CIS countries, but there's a growing number from the EU, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Over 1,900 hunting licenses were issued in 2025, a 100 increase from the previous year. Notably, for the first time in 40 years, a lynx was legally hunted in Belarus.

Belarus's hunting tourism sector is thriving, with a significant increase in foreign visitors and revenue. The growth in wildlife populations has led to expanded hunting opportunities, attracting hunters from across Europe and beyond. The country's commitment to hunting tourism, as seen in its designation of November as the month of hunting tourism, is expected to further boost this growing sector.