Hunting

You can purchase different hunting permits for small or big game. State-owned areas provide hunting opportunities also for those who do not have access to an area belonging to a hunting club or similar. Persons who live permanently in Northern Finland in the area referred to in section 8 of the Hunting Act do not need a separate permit to hunt on state-owned land in their home municipality.

Revenue generated from hunting permits is used to support hunting planning, permit sales administration, and game management measures such as habitat restoration and invasive predator control. Hunting specialists determine sustainable hunting levels on state-owned lands to ensure that game populations remain viable and that other forms of use, such as the free hunting rights of local residents in northern Finland, are also taken into account. In addition to hunting specialists, game and fisheries wardens ensure that hunting is conducted legally and in compliance with permit terms. On state-owned lands, you are expected to follow the Outdoor Etiquette, which consists of good practices for fishing and hunting.

The hunting areas managed by Metsähallitus vary in size, topography and permit conditions. Most of them are located in areas used for commercial forestry, where forestry work may also be carried out during the hunting season.