Russia Duck Hunting - Collector's Combo Package

The Spring Combo package for Russia duck hunting, capercaillie hunting and grouse hunting occurs for only 15 days, May 5-20.  This allows for two 8-day groups of 3 to 6 guests annually.

Per-hunter rates for Russia Duck Hunting Spring Combo Package

3 hunters (per hunter)…………………………………………$US 5700
4 hunters (per hunter)…………………………………………$US 5300
5 hunters (per hunter)…………………………………………$US 4900
6 hunters (per hunter)…………………………………………$US 4700

Additional hunting day $US 450

ADDITIONAL TROPHY FEES: 

Capercaillie   $US 500

Black Grouse $US 350

Important Caveats regarding Russia Duck Hunting

Russia duck hunting and bird hunting is not for everyone.  The Number One reason to go duck hunting in Russia is simply because it's there - for relatively low costs you will experience a rarely-hunted area, in an extremely unique hunting environment, among a rural but friendly culture unlike anywhere, and will hunt a myriad of species unavailable in the Americas.  True high-volume bird hunters or guests seeking luxurious accomodations should consider other destinations among the long and growing list of GetDucks.com offerings, and bird collectors that seek easy assurance and straight-forward bird importation will be sorely disappointed at this time.  While we believe that Russia duck hunting trips should be among all savvy world-wide wingshooters Life List, please review the following caveats very carefully.

Russia is among the USDA Current Listing of Countries Affected With HPAI Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.  USDA grants permits for trophy importation but at the present time importation of skins is unlikely due to conflicts between EU and USDA Veterinary services.  Trophy importation is possible and we are presently exploring several options to determine the very best.

It is a long trip.  The van transfer from St. Petersburg to camp is 12-14 hours, minimum. The closer you get to camp (and the more removed from civilization) the worse the roads become.  Consider bumpy Russian roads a part of the ambiance.  Guests that believe they may be affected by the 8-11 hour (into the future) differential should allow for a day or 2 in St. Petersburg preceding their hunt transfer.

Importation of firearms by foreign nationals into the Republic of Karelia is not permissable.  Guns used are typically double-trigger over and under shotguns of Russian origin.  They shoot fine, but guests should become accustomed to shooting double-trigger guns if they have never done so.

Russian is an extremely difficult language, and the host speaks only rudimentary English.  Other staff and locals speak no English.  It is enough for succesful hunting, but guests unaccustomed to going with the flow will be frustrated at times.

Prioritize your hunting preferences and remain flexible. The daily hunt plan is weather dependent.  Inclement weather or wind may preclude intended plans and require alternative hunts.  The daylight length is very long, but peak hunting for capercaillie and grouse conflicts with peak duck hunting times, and unlike stepping out of your back door into a blind, hunt preparation neccesitates a commitment of time (a typical spring capercaillie hunt, for example, is from 9 pm until about 8 am the following morning). 

Trophy bird hunting in Russia requires advanced planning.  A valid passport and Russian Visa is necessary to enter and exit Russia. An invitation will be sent to us, your booking agent, or to you directly. Completing the Russia Visa process requires that your passport and invitations accompany the formal application, and may require weeks during which you should not need your passport for other travel.  Visa Services are especially helpful in these regards and are an added cost.

Russia remains one of the very few places in the world to conduct a spring waterfowl hunting season when plumage is immaculate, but it is rumoured that the European Union is pressuring them to cease this practice.  Russia duck hunting during the spring will eventually be a thing of the past.

Russia Duck Hunting - Bird Limits

The bag limit for this Russia duck hunting experience is quite generous, but as a measure of conservation we hope that you will let your conscience be your guide as well.  The official Russia bag limit is 20 ducks per man daily, but actual bag limit usually falls short of this limit.  US residents may import 10 ducks and 5 geese in aggregate.

It is a trophy hunt, and guests are encouraged to carefully select adult specimens for their collections, and to let excess birds pass.  The limits for capercaillie and black grouse in 1 adult male bird, and an additional trophy applies to a second bird.  Harvest of female capercaillies and black grouse are forbidden during this hunt.

Russia Duck Hunting - Getting There

We suggest booking Air France via their affiliate Delta Airlines to arrive in St. Petersburg via Paris.  There's a direct flight from Atlanta to Paris.  US residents will experience 8 to 11 hours time change into the future, and allowing a day or 2 in St. Petersburg (or Paris), may be desirable if time allows.  Guests should expect to return to St. Petersburg between 10 pm and 1 am preceding the earliest available return flight times at about 9:30 am.

Average Daily Temperature Range (High/Low)- Russia Duck Hunting

May 46/34F, 8/1C

What to Bring - Russia Duck Hunting

Packing for Russia duck hunts is relatively simple: layers.  Remember that you're within the arctic and temperatures may deviate; wet snow or rain are likely.  Consult the weather forecast for Chupa, Russia, for up-to-date forecast.  Pack a pair of comfortable hip boots suitable for walking distances.  Wool or canvas hunting pants, a fleece jacket, layers and raincoat.  Binoculars are must-have.  A pair of thermal underwear and warm socks are suggested. Other items that might not be normally packed by US hunters include a small thermos, ac adapter, handi wipes, electronic bird call, a few light-weight decoys, bird processing materials (scalpel, salt, saran wrap, solution for bird treatment), a waterproof day pack or field bag, and small walkie talkies for your group members.  Pack a bathing suit for the Russian bath and sauna. If you've got a sweet tooth, favorite snack item or spirit, might as well pack some.

General Packing List for Russia Duck Hunting (PDF)

Payment Methods while Duck Hunting in Russia

Important Note: Please pay for ammo and gratuities with cash.  Checks, money orders and credit cards are not accepted while duck hunting in Russia.  Local purchases of goods and services may accept credit cards, but Russian Rubles are the official national currency - US dollars are most oftentimes not accepted by local vendors or service providers.  

Related Links for Duck Hunting in Russia

View Photo Gallery: Russia Duck Hunting

Travisa Visa Service

Travel Protection and Travel Insurance Protect your hunting travel investment

Certification of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457)

Importation of Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177

Field Care of Trophy Waterfowl & Birds

** VS 16-3 Application for Permit to Import Controlled Material or Transport Organisms or Vectors or Animal Products and By-Products.  The VS 16-3 application must be completed to receive the  VS 16-7 necessary import bird trophies from Countries/Regions Affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This process requires 6-8 weeks, minimum.

Contact us about for more information about Russia duck hunting, Russia Capercaillie hunting or other Russia bird hunting. 

Russia Duck Hunting Spring Combo Trips include:

• Licenses
• Firearm use
• Airport reception
• Ground transfers (train or van from St. Petersburg)
• Camp Lodging
• Meals motorboat
• Veterinary certificate
• Bi-lingual host (basic, perfect fluency not assured) 

Russia duck hunting packages do not include:

• Ammo ($15 per box of 25) Prices subject to change.
• Voluntary gratuities to outfitter, interpreter and staff
• Capercaillie and Black Grouse trophy fees
• $50 minimum tip to Capercaillie guide if bird is missed, paid daily
• Phone calls
• Airfare and airport fees
• Baggage overweight charges
• Alcoholic beverages
• Bird skinning $20 per cape
• St. Petersburg-related expenses - hotels, cabs, tours, etc.
• Any item of strict personal nature
• Travel Protection Policy (Trip Insurance)

While certainly not for everyone, this Russia Duck Hunting experience is an adventure beyond bird species, and deserves the serious Life List consideration of international bird hunting enthusiasts that seek to experience everything available in world-wide duck hunting.

View Photo Gallery Russia Duck Hunting