Bear hunting in the reindeer herding area

Bear hunting permit for the reindeer herding area

The reindeer herding area consists of an eastern and a western reindeer herding area. The eastern reindeer herding area includes the municipalities of Utsjoki, Inari, Sodankylä, Pelkosenniemi, Savukoski, Salla, Kuusamo and Suomussalmi. The western reindeer herding area includes the other municipalities within the reindeer herding region.

In 2025, the bear hunting quota for the western reindeer herding area is XX bears, and for the eastern reindeer herding area, it is XX bears (will be updated in summer 2025). Bear hunting is allowed until the regional quota is filled or the bear hunting season ends.

Metsähallitus’ bear hunting permit for the reindeer herding area applies only to state-owned lands. For bear hunting purposes, the state-owned lands in the reindeer herding area are divided into four permit areas. Bear hunting permits can be purchased for the following areas:

Area 1: Suomussalmi, Kuusamo (eastern quota area) and Taivalkoski, Hyrynsalmi, Puolanka (western quota area)
Area 2: Savukoski, Salla, Pelkosenniemi (eastern quota area)
Area 3: Inari, Utsjoki, Sodankylä (eastern quota area)
Area 4: Enontekiö, Ii, Kemijärvi, Kittilä, Kolari, Muonio, Oulu, Pello, Posio, Pudasjärvi, Ranua, Rovaniemi, Simo, Tervola, Utajärvi, Ylitornio (western quota area)

The number of permits available for each area is listed on the respective reservations page. Maps of the areas can be found under the Map files and brochures section.

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Reindeer herding area: Yes
Day permits for the area: Personal bear hunting day permit
Seasonal permits for the area: Personal bear season hunting permit
Special features of the area: The state-owned lands in the reindeer herding area are divided into four permit areas. Make sure you choose the permit for the correct area.
Restrictions: Check the permit terms carefully.

Keep in mind in this area

Reindeer herding

Always make sure you are not disturbing the reindeer herding. Reindeer and reindeer herding need to be taken into account especially when hunting with a dog. Please read the instructions on page Hunting in Northern Finland before your hunting trip.

Up-to-date information on reindeer herding: porotyot.fi (in Finnish). Please note that not all reindeer herding cooperatives use the service.

Border zone

Bear hunting in the border zone is prohibited. Permission from the Finnish Border Guard is always required to track a wounded bear that has fled into the border zone or to retrieve a bear that has been killed there.

Maps in Oma riista service

You can upload the bear hunting maps of the permit areas in the reindeer herding area to the Finnish Wildlife Agency’s Oma riista service. Follow these steps:

Open the Oma riista app.
Select map.
Go to settings (gear icon).
Under Add area, choose Oma riista area.
Select Area ID.
Enter the correct area code (year 2024):
- 2721 Reindeer Herding Area 1 bear map code: PFBD2ZHMHB
- 2722 Reindeer Herding Area 2 bear map code: DFYTLNM8P3
- 2723 Reindeer Herding Area 3 bear map code: 36HDLGM4RA
- 2724 Reindeer Herding Area 4 bear map code: 7WUMT2GKF3
Press OK and return to the map. The correct area will load on the screen.

The codes for the upcoming autumn will be updated in August.

Contact details

Permit sale and information Mon–Fri 9 am–3 pm

+35820692424

Call cost €0.00/min + local network rate/mobile charge

eraluvat@metsa.fi

Bear hunting permit for the reindeer herding area

Basic details of the area