How to get permission for hunting

Citizens have the right to hunt, in case of:

• reaching the age of 18 if hunting is carried out by using firearms;
• reaching the age of 14 if hunting is carried out using other authorized hunting equipment, hunting dogs and hunting birds of prey;
• availability of a hunter certificate;
• obtaining permission to use the wildlife or permits of a hunting entity.     

The right to hunt for foreigners in the territory of Kazakhstan arises on the basis of a contract for the organization of hunting with the subject of the hunting economy and obtaining a permit for the use of wildlife, as well as the permission of the internal affairs bodies to import into the territory of Kazakhstan and export from Kazakhstan firearms and ammunition for hunting.

Hunting is divided into the following types:

1. commercial;
2. amateur (sports), including national hunting.

Commercial hunting - obtaining species of animals that are the object of hunting for entrepreneurial purposes;

Amateur (sporting) hunting - obtaining species of animals that are object of hunting, in order to satisfy sports, aesthetic needs and for personal consumption of hunted products.

National hunting - catching species of animals, which are the object of amateur (sport) hunting, using hunting birds of prey and national breeds of hunting dogs.

Hunting shall be carried out in fixed hunting grounds, unless otherwise established by the authorized body.

For amateur (sports) hunting, the following documents are needed:

• hunter's certificate;
• permission to store, store and carry civilian weapons and ammunition for them - when hunting with the use of hunting firearms;
• Animal permit or hunting trip;
• passport of a bird of prey - when hunting with a bird of prey.

The hunter's certificate is issued by branches or representative offices of the association at the place of residence of an individual for a period of ten years.

An individual interested in obtaining a hunter's certificate is trained in hunting, approved by Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated March 13, 2012 № 25-03-02/95 and is tested in accordance with the Rules of conducting hunting minimum by the Republican Association of Public Associations of Hunters and Hunting Sector, approved by Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 30, 2015 № 18-03/57.

Upon receipt of the certificate of completion of the hunting minimum course an individual shall fill in the questionnaire according to the approved form.

The issued certificate is the basis for issuing a hunter's certificate.

Issuance of a hunter's certificate is carried out within five working days by the responsible person of the branch or representative office after submission of the certificate.

Simultaneously with the hunter's certificate, the branch or representative office shall fill in the hunter's record card according to the approved form, and then a personal record of the hunter shall be formed which shall be kept for the duration of the hunter's certificate in closed cabinets not accessible to unauthorised persons.

The fact of issuing a hunter's license shall be recorded in the register of the hunter's license according to the approved form.

In case the hunter's license is lost or deteriorated before the expiry date (spoilage, wear and tear), it shall be replaced or a duplicate issued if the hunter's registration card is available.

In case of moving to a permanent place of residence outside the administrative and territorial unit (region) where the hunter's certificate was issued, as well as in case of changes in other data recorded in the hunter's certificate and registration card, the hunter shall inform the branch or representative office about the changes in the place of his registration.

From the day of arrival, within thirty calendar days, the hunter shall be registered at the branch or representative office of his new place of residence. In this case, the respective branch or representative office asks for the original registration card with a note on the hunter's departure from his previous place of registration and his personal file.

To obtain a hunter's certificate, the following list of documents shall be submitted to the association or its representative office:

• identity card;
• 3x4cm photographs - 3 pcs;
• certificate of completion of the hunting minimum course;
• copy of the receipt for payment of the state duty in the amount of 2 MCI.

Addresses of the Republican Association of public associations of hunters and hunting entities "Kansonar" and representative offices (drop-down box)

1. Republican association of public associations of hunters and hunting entities “Kansonar” - Astana, D. Kunaev str, 12/1, office 423;
2. Representative office of the association in Almaty region - Almaty region, Taldykorgan, Koyshibekov str, 44;
3. Representative office of the association in West Kazakhstan region - West Kazakhstan region, Uralsk, Dosmukhamedov str., 77a;
4. Representative office of the association in North Kazakhstan region - North Kazakhstan region, Petropavlovsk, Amangeldy str., 137;
5. Representation of the association in Almaty - Almaty, Almaly district, Manas str., 22b;
6. Representation of the association in Atyrau region - Atyrau region, Atyrau, Saltanat Balkymbaev str.38;
7. Representative office of the association in Astana - Astana, Toraigyrov str., 41;
8. Representative office of the association in Akmola region - Akmola region, Kokshetau, Suleimenov str., 33b;
9. Representative office of the association in Zhambyl region - Zhambyl region, Taraz, Kenen Azerbaev str., 38a;
10. Representative office of the association in Kostanay region - Kostanay region, Kostanay, Gogol str., 181;
11. Representation of the association in Turkestan region - Turkestan region, Ordabasynsky district, Temirlanovka village, A.Moldashimov str., 8;
12. Representative office of the association in Karaganda region - Karaganda region, Temirtau, md 6, 6;
13. Representation of the association in Pavlodar region - Pavlodar region, Pavlodar, General Dyusenov str., 18/2, Apt. 16;
14. Representative office of the association in Mangystau region - Mangistau region, Aktau, md 4, building 1;
15. Representative office of the association in Aktobe region - Aktobe region, Aktobe, Sankibay Batyr ave., 130b;
16. Representative office of the association in East Kazakhstan region - East Kazakhstan region, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Krasin str.3.

There are no restrictions for those wishing to obtain a certificate.

At the branch you can take training on the course “Hunting minimum” and testing on a free basis.

When testing, the passing score is 20 out of 25 correct answers. Repeated testing in case of test failure is carried out after 1 month. In case of failure to retest, application can be submitted after 6 months.

If the commission makes a positive decision, a certificate is issued. The certificate serves the basis for issuing a hunter certificate.

The hunter must have a personal weapon, since it is forbidden to use someone else's. Hunting civilian weapons are divided into two types: smoothbore and rifled.

Smoothbore long-barreled weapons with the right to store and carry have the right to acquire citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan who have reached the age of twenty-one and have a hunter's certificate.

Hunting firearms with a rifled barrel have the right to acquire citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan who have owned hunting firearms smoothbore long-barreled weapons for at least three years, who have been granted the right to hunt in accordance with the established procedure.

You can get a permit to purchase weapons within 15 working days for a fee through an online service, a permit is issued for a period of 3 months, during which you need to purchase a weapon and register it with the Department of Internal Affairs within seven days (submit an electronic application for storing and carrying weapons).

Thus, two electronic applications are submitted:

• for obtaining a permit for the purchase of weapons (issuance of a permit for the purchase of civilian weapons and ammunition to individuals) 
• after its acquisition, for obtaining a final permit for the storage and carrying of weapons (issuance of a permit for the storage, storage and carrying of civilian weapons and ammunition to individuals). A permit for the storage and carrying of weapons is issued for a period of 5 years.

To obtain a permit to purchase weapons, you must undergo a medical examination and mandatory training in specialized centers for the safe handling of weapons. When submitting an electronic application for a permit to purchase civilian weapons, police officers must check the conditions for storing weapons at the place of residence (the presence of a metal safe, alarm systems for residents of urban settlements), in the absence of such conditions, it is possible to store weapons in centralized storage points (an agreement is attached), check for criminal records and administrative offenses according to the records of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records, records of internal affairs bodies and (or) national security in the fight against extremism, terrorism or organized crime.

Information on the availability of a permit for the storage and carrying of weapons issued by the internal affairs body confirming that this person has had a hunting smoothbore weapon in legal use for at least three years (when purchasing a hunting firearm with a rifled barrel), about the purchased weapons in specialized arms trade stores, information about the payment of state duty, police officers receive from the relevant state information systems through the "gateway" of the electronic government.

In order to preserve animal populations and ensure favorable conditions for their reproduction, hunting terms and a limit on the shooting of each individual animal species have been set.

For example, hunting is allowed:

• badger - from the first Saturday of September to December 31;
• wood grouse - from October 1 to November 30 (spring hunting for males is allowed for not more than 15 calendar days in the period from March 1 to May 15);
• maral, Askanian deer, wild boar, musk deer, elk – from the first Saturday of September to December 31;
• sandpiper, woodcock - from July 1 to November 30 (spring hunting for Woodcock males is allowed for a period not exceeding 15 calendar days in the period from March 1 to April 30).

The decision to open the hunt or to postpone the hunt to an earlier or later date of up to 15 calendar days from the established date of hunting is made on the spot.

From February 16 to June 14, a hunting ban was imposed. 

The daily withdrawal rate for amateur hunting of 1 species of birds and fur game per 1 hunter is limited to 5 individuals.

Obtaining a permit for wildlife use is paid for through the online service:

When submitting an online application, please attach the following:

• an electronic copy of the list of persons involved in the seizure of wildlife, except for hunting, signed by the service recipient;
• an electronic copy of the payment document for wildlife use, except in cases of payment through PSEP;

The rates of payment are established by the tax code and are for 1 individual in the amount multiple of the MCI.

For example, for amateur and sports hunting, the bet is:

• elk (female) - 16
• maral (male) - 13
• boar (male) - 4
• hares (tolai hare, brown hare, mountain hare) - 0.045
• wood grouse – 0.15.

When calculating the amount of payment for foreigners while hunting in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the coefficient of 10 is applied to the established rates.

After submission of the application within 3 working days there will be a permission or a reasoned response about the refusal to provide a state service.

Depending on the type of use, in addition to the list of documents is presented:

1. hunting (at first time request):

• an electronic copy of the agreement between the subject of the hunting economy and foreigners for the organization of hunting - in case the removal of wildlife objects is made with the participation of foreigners;

2. on research fishing:

• an electronic copy of the justification for scientific work approved by the scientific council of the relevant scientific organization and the research program;
• an electronic copy of the calculations that substantiates the estimated amount of removal of wildlife objects;
• electronic copy of the report on the results of the use of previously issued approvals (in case of issued approvals);

3. to catch for reproductive purposes:

• an electronic copy of the biological justification approved by the scientific council of the profiling scientific organization, except for cases of catch for the purposes of the state order for reproduction of fish resources;

4. the use of wildlife for scientific, cultural, educational, aesthetic purposes, as well as to prevent epizootics:

• an electronic copy of an extract from the scientific and thematic plan approved by the scientific council of the scientific organization in charge of the subject and the research program, except for epizootic monitoring;
• electronic copy of the annual work plan of the state veterinary organization of the authorized body in the field of veterinary medicine for epizootic monitoring of animal diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in order to prevent epizootics;
• an electronic copy of justification materials for withdrawal of animal objects (biological substantiation with positive conclusion of the state ecological expertise);

5. the use of animal species for reproductive purposes:

• an electronic copy of justification materials for withdrawal of animal objects (biological substantiation with positive conclusion of the state ecological expertise).

Trip - a document (single or seasonal) issued to an individual for visiting fixed hunting grounds and/or fishing grounds with the purpose of catching wildlife.

Subjects of hunting and fishing farms shall be entitled to withdraw animal objects within the quota from the moment of obtaining a permit to use the animal world, and other individuals and legal entities - after receiving a trip from the subjects of hunting and fishing farms or signing a contract with them for hunting.

Amateur (sport) hunting tours for individuals upon their oral and written application.

Individuals are entitled to hunting on condition that they have received a permit to use the animal world or a permit.

The price of a permit is set by the user.

Hunting is forbidden:

1. without a hunter certificate;
2. with the firearms without the permission of the internal affairs bodies for the right to store and use it;
3. with hunting birds of prey without their registration in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
4. with the hunting tools, the use of which is not provided for by the Rules of the hunting farm;
5. for fishing purposes without an agreement with a hunting entity;
6. in the reserve fund of the hunting grounds, unless otherwise established by the authorized body;
7. on the lands of the settlements, as well as territories adjacent to them, hunting shall not be carried out within a radius of three kilometers around them using smooth-bore and rifled hunting weapons;
8. on the lands of industry, transport, communications, defense without the permission of the authorized body;
9. for the wildlife species in the state of distress and helplessness (the species fleeing from a storm, flood, fire, crossing the water, in the ice storm, undernourished, sitting in the open water of the waterfowl);
10. for the amateur (sports) purposes with the use of aircraft, cars, motor vehicles, snowmobile equipment (except for hunting the wolves), small boats with the engine turned on, night vision devices, laser target designators, lighting and sound devices;
11. in a state of alcoholic or narcotic intoxication or intoxication of another type;
12. on the lands occupied by agricultural crops until the end of the harvest;
13. In specially protected natural territories, with the exception of the territory where, in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, certain types of the wildlife use are allowed;
14. with the use of firearms on the river beaver, otter, mink, muskrat;
15. with the destruction and damage of animal dwellings, with the exception of excavation of burrows for the rescue of hunting dogs;
16. with the destruction of the dam, erected by a beaver;
17. with the use of pneumatic, throwing weapons (except for the use of bows and crossbows for the research and preventive work related to the wildlife immobilization and injection administration);
18. using cartridges with bullets of armor-piercing, incendiary or explosive action with a displaced center of gravity;
19. using the self-made rifled auxiliary barrels (inserts) in slug guns;
20. with burning of the wasteland, surface vegetation, uprooting and destruction of other vegetation;
21. using the self-arrows, squeezes, grips, gags, undercuts, traps, hunting pits, by establishing large traps without identifiable signs, tents, odds, hooks, peak, bird glue, smoking, pasture on smooth ice, crust , deep snow and viscous salt marshes, mowed reeds, using traps in the extraction of brown bears, ungulates and birds, hunting with a cauldron, horseshoe;
22. using networks; pouring out of the holes (with the exception of catching animals for their introduction, reintroduction, hybridization or captivity in agreement with the authorized body);
23. with the use of explosive devices, chemicals and toxic substances, with the exception of the use of pesticides in the extermination of mouse rodents (ground squirrels, gray rats, hamsters), as well as in cases of epizootics of rabies and other animal diseases in coordination with the authorized body or its territorial unit;
24. in excess of the number of animals specified in the permit for use of the animal kingdom or permit of the hunting entity;
25. on other types of animals that are not specified in the permission to use the animal world or a permit for a hunting entity;
26. without the permit of the hunting farm;
27. using hunting birds of prey, imported from other countries, on species of animals that are objects of hunting;
28. without decoy duck or stuffed during the spring hunting for a duck drake;
29. Unaccompanied by a huntsman or state inspector for the protection, reproduction and use of the wildlife for hunting of the ungulates and brown bears;
30. for amateur (sports) purposes for a groundhog using rifled caliber five point six millimeters for rimfire ammunition;
31. in quiescent and reproductive areas.

The fee for using the wildlife is not imposed in the following cases:

• Upon the seizure of the wildlife species from natural environment for the purpose of tagging, banding, resettlement, acclimatization, artificial breeding and crossbreeding of the species for the research and economic purposes, with their following retrieval and re-entry into the natural environment;
• upon the use of the wildlife species that are the property of the individuals and legal entities, which were bred artificially and maintained in captivity and (or) semi-free conditions;
• upon the test fishing by an authorized public body in the field of protection, reproduction and use of the wildlife of the fish and other aquatic animals for the biological justification to use the fish resources and other species of aquatic animals;
• upon the seizure of animal species, the number of which is subject to the regulation to protect the public health, prevent the diseases of agricultural and other domestic animals, prevent the environmental damage, and prevent the danger of causing a substantial damage to the agricultural activity.