Latvia, in north-eastern Europe, is a land of forests, lakes and rivers: woods cover more than half of the country and there are about 3,000 lakes and 12,000 watercourses. This network of wetlands, along a good migration route, makes it a very interesting destination for waterfowl hunting.
The key moment is the autumn migration, between September and October, when all species pass through. In the packages published on Wildoora you hunt mallard, teal, wigeon, gadwall, pintail, shoveler, tufted duck and geese (bean and white-fronted), from hides on the lake shore or in the middle of the lake chosen according to the wind, from half an hour before dawn until about mid-morning.
As Latvia is in the EU, entry is simple: a valid ID card is enough. To hunt you need your hunting licence and the Latvian permit, which a local agency normally arranges for you; people living abroad can obtain the Latvian licence without sitting an exam if they hold the one from their own country.
The rules for waterfowl are precise (no lead ammunition, registration of every bird, no electronic callers): you will find them below, together with advice on guns, dogs, game and travel.
For waterfowl, the most recent Latvian calendar we found normally runs from the second half of August to mid-December: until mid-September you hunt only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, then every day; some ducks (pintail, shoveler, gadwall) are hunted from 15 September to 30 November. The best migration is between September and October, the period covered by the published package. The calendar changes from year to year: the agency confirms the days.
Latvia is in the European Union, so a valid ID card is enough to enter. To hunt, a foreign hunter needs the Latvian hunting permit, issued by the State Forest Service. People living abroad can obtain it without an exam by presenting the hunting licence of their own country.
To travel with your gun to another EU country you need the European Firearms Pass, with the correct serial numbers, and a valid licence. Many agencies offer gun rental, which avoids much of the paperwork.
Precise limits apply to waterfowl: lead ammunition is effectively banned across the country, so bring non-toxic cartridges; semi-automatics able to hold more than three cartridges are not allowed and official guides quote a limit of two cartridges plus one in the chamber.
We did not find an official source on the maximum number of cartridges you may carry: ask the agency, because the rule in force at the border and with the airline is what counts.
To bring a dog into Latvia from another EU country you need a readable microchip (ISO standard), the European pet passport and a rabies vaccination, with the microchip applied before the vaccine. After the first-ever rabies shot you must wait 21 days before travelling, and the dog must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination.
The return to Italy takes place with the same documents. Ask your vet to check everything is in order, and ask the agency whether a dog is useful for retrieving waterfowl.
Waterfowl hunting takes place on lakes and wetlands along a migration route. Hides hold a maximum of three hunters and are placed on the shore or in the middle of the lake depending on the wind; you normally hunt from half an hour before dawn until mid-morning, with decoys.
Besides ducks and geese (among geese the bean goose and white-fronted goose may also be hunted), the country offers other hunting it is known for: moose, wild boar, roe and red deer, as well as woodcock and pheasant. Woods cover more than half of the country and big game is often hunted in drives, with dogs and fixed stands or high seats.
On public waters and their shores you do not need the consent of the hunting rights holder, but protected areas and waters in urban zones may have their own rules and closures. The authorities report recurring violations, including by foreign hunters, so it pays to know the rules:
Since Latvia is in the EU, the EU ban on travellers bringing personal consignments of meat from third countries does not apply to movements between Member States. Health rules for game still apply: the agency can prepare the birds (for example plucking and vacuum-packing, where the package offers it) and tells you what is needed for transport.
Always ask the agency, before booking, how to handle the birds shot and the journey home.
Latvia has three international airports and uses the euro. Temperatures drop as autumn advances and in winter can reach -20 °C: for days at the lake bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, boots and gloves.
Agencies usually offer half board and a packed lunch in the hide; for airport transfers and flights ask the agency what is included.
It depends on the species and on the local hunting calendar. In the published packages the period is September and October; the agency confirms the exact days when it replies to your request.
As an EU country, a valid ID document is enough. A valid hunting licence is also required: the agency explains what to prepare.
Yes, with the required transport documents (including the European Firearms Pass). Ask the agency for the up-to-date instructions and whether rental is available.
Choose the package and send your booking request. There is no online payment: the agency contacts you directly to confirm dates, details and conditions.
No: lead ammunition is effectively banned across the country, so for waterfowl bring non-toxic cartridges.
Yes, every bird must be registered with a photo in the official "Mednis" app within one day of the hunt. The agency explains how.
Yes, from Italy a microchip, a European pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination are enough (wait 21 days after the first dose).
On public waters the limit quoted by the authorities is 10 waterfowl per hunter per day. Rules can change: confirm with the agency.
No: electronic or recorded callers are banned and in 2025 the authorities seized devices from foreign hunters. Decoys are allowed.