Russia’s hunting industry is navigating a period of profound transformation. As the country with the largest hunting grounds in the world—spanning over 1.4 billion hectares—the sector holds enormous potential, deeply intertwined with cultural traditions, regional economies, and conservation efforts. However, in 2026, it is confronting a series of challenges, from a major overhaul of its regulatory framework and the imposition of international sanctions to persistent issues of illegal poaching and a shifting economic landscape.
A Vast Resource Under Pressure
The scale of Russia’s hunting resources is immense. The country is home to 228 species of huntable animals, and recent years have seen significant growth in the populations of key species. This increase is a testament to conservation efforts, but it also creates pressure on the ecosystem and the need for careful population management.
The industry, however, has been in a state of flux for decades. The collapse of the Soviet system led to the disintegration of many state-run hunting enterprises. Of the hunting farms operating at the end of the 1980s, only about half remain today. This has created a vacuum in management, with experts pointing to a need for a renewed federal law “On Hunting” to modernize the sector and clarify responsibilities between federal and regional authorities.
A New Regulatory Era: The Strategy to 2035
The industry is currently focused on the development of a new Strategy for the Development of the Hunting Industry until 2035. This strategy is designed to provide a roadmap for the sector’s future, focusing on sustainable development, digitalization, and improving the accessibility of hunting for the public.
Key elements of the strategy include:
- Digitalization: The rollout of the state information system in 2025, which allows hunters to obtain hunting licenses in both paper and electronic form.
- Two Development Scenarios: The strategy outlines a conservative scenario (maintaining current indicators) and a “basic” scenario, which envisions intensive growth through better population management, professional standards, and a strengthened hunting economy.
- Focus on Trophy Hunting: There are increasing calls to regulate trophy hunting more formally, with a proposal to include a dedicated section on this in the new strategy. This segment has significant economic potential, particularly in regions where trophy hunting for animals such as spotted deer and bears can generate substantial revenue.
The Hunt for Revenue: Soaring Fees and the Risk of Poaching
Adding to the complexity, a new law came into effect in January 2026, significantly increasing the fees for hunting permits. The cost of hunting key species such as moose, wild boar, or roe deer is set to increase significantly. For example, the fee for hunting a moose or red deer is set to jump substantially.
While the government views this as a necessary measure to reflect the value of natural resources, it has sparked concern among hunting communities. Representatives of hunters warn that such a sharp increase could have the unintended consequence of driving up illegal poaching, particularly in remote regions where hunting is a traditional means of survival for many families. This creates a delicate balance for the government, as it tries to generate revenue from the sector without undermining its own conservation and regulatory efforts.
The International Dimension: Sanctions and the Furs Market
The hunting industry has also found itself caught in the crosshairs of international politics. The European Union’s sanctions packages, which include restrictions on various industries, have had a significant impact on a key associated sector: the fur trade. For a brief period, the EU imposed a ban on the import of processed Russian sable fur.
However, the ban proved short-lived. The decision was reversed after just three months, with the EU justifying the move by stating there is no viable alternative to Russian sable on the global market. This highlights both the industry’s strategic value and its global connections. Russia remains the world’s largest supplier of sable, with an annual harvest of around 450,000 animals.
The episode reveals the influence of commercial and political lobbies. While animal rights activists within the EU have been pushing for a complete ban on fur farming, the interests of the Italian and Greek fur industries, which are major buyers of Russian sable, appear to have played a decisive role in the decision to reverse the ban.
The Russian hunting industry in 2026 is a sector characterized by contradiction and change. It possesses a vast natural resource base but is struggling with outdated management systems and the legacy of post-Soviet collapse. It is facing a new era of regulation and higher costs, which may increase the risk of poaching while also aiming to create a more economically viable and professionally managed sector. Internationally, it is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape where its economic value, particularly in the luxury goods market, protects it from the full force of sanctions. For the industry to thrive, it must find a way to balance the needs of conservation, the traditions of its people, and the demands of a modern, regulated economy.
