Permit sale and information Mon–Fri 9 am–3 pm
+35820692424
Call cost €0.00/min + mobile charge/local network rate. Urgent orders always by phone.
Bear hunting with special permit
Bear hunting with an exceptional license, Ilomantsi
Outside the reindeer husbandry area, bear hunting always requires a separate exceptional license issued by the Finnish Wildlife Agency. The Finnish Wildlife Agency generally grants exceptional licenses to joint permit areas.
In 2026, the Finnish Wildlife Agency has granted derogation permits for the hunting of 26 bears in the Ilomantsi area (decision 2026-1-000-42898-0). The exceptional license area also includes state-owned lands, for which you need a personal bear permit issued by Metsähallitus. These permits are available as daily and weekly permits from 17 August 2026 onwards.
To participate in the hunt, you must register with the holder of the Ilomantsi joint permit, primarily by joining the WhatsApp group. The instructions can be found under Map files and brochures.
Basic details of the area
- Municipality
- Ilomantsi
- Region
- Pohjois-Karjala
- Day permits for the area
- Personal day permit, personal week permit (7 days)
- Special features of the area
- You can purchase a bear permit for this area if you are participating in the joint bear hunting permit.
- Restrictions
- Always check the permit terms carefully.
Keep in mind in this area
Hunting rights do not apply to nature reserves where hunting is prohibited. These include Patvinsuo National Park, Petkeljärvi National Park, and Koivusuo Strict Nature Reserve, as well as the protected areas designated by Government Decree 140/2021 and the Ministry of the Environment Decree 141/2021.
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.
For any uncertainties related to the border zone or the state border, you can contact the operations centre of the North Karelia Border Guard , tel. +358 29 541 2300. For example, if a hunting dog follows game into the border zone, this must be reported to the operations centre.
If a wounded game animal enters the border zone and the hunter or members of the hunting party do not have a border zone permit, they may not enter the border zone. The incident must always be reported to the operations centre of the North Karelia Border Guard, which will provide further instructions.
More detailed instructions issued by the Finnish Border Guard can be found under Map files and brochures.
Maps in Oma riista service
You can upload the bear hunting map of Ilomantsi 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 area code for Ilomantsi for the year 2026: B8MBAWD7GJ
Press OK and return to the map. The correct area will load on the screen.
Contact details
Senior Specialist, Hunting
Markus Pekkinen
Game and Fisheries Warden
Jyrki Turpeinen
Real-time status of the bear hunting
On the Finnish Wildlife Agency’s riista.fi service, you can follow the real-time status of the bear hunting quota. The page is available in Finnish and in Swedish. Bear hunting is allowed until the quota defined by the exceptional license is reached, or the hunting season has ended.
Outdoor etiquette
Users of Metsähallitus wilderness sites observe the Outdoor etiquette. It encourages fishers and hunters to take nature, other people, catches and game into account in all activities.
Hunting permits
Metsähallitus sells or grants hunting permits for small and big game. State-owned lands ensure hunting opportunities also for those who do not have access to, for example, hunting club areas.
Check also these destinations
Bear permit, day
Permits are sold for the period:20.8.–31.10.2026
Price list
1 day
Adult 22,00 €
1 week
Adult 60,00 €