Finland: permits, calibres and seasons
Finland has some of Europe's best forest bird hunting and a large white-tailed deer population. Foreign hunters get a Finnish hunting card through a local game management association, need a permit for each hunting area, and must hold a shooting test certificate to hunt deer or bear with a rifle.
At a glance
Finnish hunting card · area permit · shooting test
What you need
Steps for a visiting hunter. Some depend on where you live. The Trip Planner filters them to your situation and adds deadlines.
Before you leave home
5 steps- Proof of your right to huntOfficial source
Your hunting licence from home and proof that you passed the hunting exam. Many destinations base their guest licence on it.
- Firearms licence from your home countryConfirm with authority
Carry the licence for every firearm you take, issued in your own name.
- European Firearms PassConfirm with authority
Issued by the firearms authority in your home country, with each firearm you travel with entered in it. Usually valid five years. Processing time and fee vary by country, so apply well ahead. Carry it together with proof that the trip is for hunting.
- Temporary import permit for your firearmsCheck before travel
Residents outside the EU/EEA cannot use the European Firearms Pass. Apply to the Finnish police for permission to bring your firearms in temporarily, well before you travel. Riista.fi notes that bringing a gun in requires a separate permit.
- Invitation or hunting agreementConfirm with authority
Written proof of the hunt from your host, outfitter or landowner. Border and police checks ask why you are carrying firearms.
Permits at the destination
4 steps- Finnish hunting cardOfficial source
Ordered for one hunting year (from 1 August) by a local game management association. Show your home hunting licence or other reliable proof of your right to hunt. The game management fee was €43 for 2025–26.
- Hunting permit for the areaOfficial source
You need a permit for each area you hunt, from the landowner, a hunting club or Metsähallitus on state land.
- Shooting test certificate (deer and bear)Official source
Required when hunting deer species or bear with a rifle. Issued by the game management association for €20 and valid for up to three years. Tests run mostly in summer and early autumn.
- Borrow from your Finnish hostOfficial source
Instead of bringing your own, you can borrow firearms and equipment from your host.
Ammunition by animal
Source: Finland · Metsästysasetus § 16 a (from 6 Sep 2016)
| Animal | Rifle | Shotgun |
|---|---|---|
 | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 9 g with E100 ≥ 2 700 J or ≥ 10 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J. | Shot No Slug Check |
 | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 9 g with E100 ≥ 2 700 J or ≥ 10 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J. | Shot No Slug Check |
Brown bearBjørn | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 9 g with E100 ≥ 2 700 J or ≥ 10 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J. | Shot No Slug No |
 | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 6 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J or ≥ 8 g with E100 ≥ 1 700 J. | Shot No Slug Check |
White-tailed deerHvithalehjort | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 6 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J or ≥ 8 g with E100 ≥ 1 700 J. | Shot Check Slug Check |
Fallow deerDåhjort | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 6 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J or ≥ 8 g with E100 ≥ 1 700 J. | Shot Check Slug Check |
ReindeerVillrein | Expanding bullet, and either ≥ 6 g with E100 ≥ 2 000 J or ≥ 8 g with E100 ≥ 1 700 J. | Shot No Slug Check |
 | Bullet at least 3.2 g and E100 at least 800 J. | Shot Check Slug Check |
Eurasian lynxGaupe | Bullet at least 3.2 g and E100 at least 800 J. | Shot Check Slug Check |
WolverineJerv | Bullet at least 3.2 g and E100 at least 800 J. | Shot Check Slug Check |
Red foxRødrev | No statutory bullet minimum found. Use a calibre and load suited to the animal. | Shot Yes Slug No |
HareHare | No statutory bullet minimum found. Use a calibre and load suited to the animal. | Shot Yes Slug No |
CapercaillieStorfugl | No statutory bullet minimum found. Use a calibre and load suited to the animal. | Shot Yes Slug No |
Black grouseOrrfugl | No statutory bullet minimum found. Use a calibre and load suited to the animal. | Shot Yes Slug No |
Willow ptarmiganLirype | No statutory bullet minimum found. Use a calibre and load suited to the animal. | Shot Yes Slug No |
Seasons
See the year wheel →Official source Riista.fi – open seasons 2025–26
| Animal | General season |
|---|---|
| Moose | South and central Finland, main season: 11 Oct – 15 Jan Lapland, Kainuu, North Ostrobothnia: 4 Oct – 15 Jan Ambush from fields only: 1 Sep – 10 Oct |
| White-tailed deer | Main season: 27 Sep – 15 Feb Ambush only, not Lapland: 1 Sep – 26 Sep |
| Fallow deer | Main season: 27 Sep – 31 Jan |
| Roe deer | All: 1 Sep – 15 Feb Males only: 16 May – 15 Jun |
| Wild boar | All year (sows with piglets protected 1 Mar–31 Jul): All year |
| Brown bear | With licence: 20 Aug – 31 Oct |
| Eurasian lynx | Outside reindeer herding area, special licence: 1 Dec – 28 Feb |
| Hare | Mountain hare: 1 Sep – 28 Feb |
| Red fox | Outside Lapland: 1 Aug – 14 Apr |
| Capercaillie | Most regions: 10 Sep – 10 Nov |
| Black grouse | Most regions: 10 Sep – 10 Nov |
| Willow ptarmigan | Enontekiö, Inari, Utsjoki: 10 Sep – 31 Mar |
Dates shift slightly each year and differ by region. Moose, white-tailed deer and fallow deer need a cervid licence.
Known costs
| Finnish game management fee (2025–26) | €43 |
| Finnish shooting test certificate | €20 |
Official fees we have confirmed. The hunt itself, trophy fees, travel and insurance come on top.
Questions
Do I need a shooting test to hunt moose in Finland?
Yes, for deer species and bear with a rifle. The certificate costs €20 and is valid for up to three years.
Who issues the Finnish hunting card to a foreigner?
A local game management association orders it for one hunting year at a time.
How far ahead should I start planning a hunt in Finland?
The longest step takes about 42 days. Start at least that far ahead of your first hunting day, and earlier for popular seasons.