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.