Hunting
Wildlife Service Finland, a unit of Metsähallitus, manages state-owned hunting grounds and sells hunting permits for these areas. The state-owned areas (i.e. public lands) are located mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Small game hunting areas, varying greatly in size, are accessible to all hunters with a valid hunting permit issued by Metsähallitus.
The types of nature in the hunting areas vary from northern alpine landscapes to coniferous forest types in the south. The most common game species are black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia), willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) and mountain hare (Lepus timidus).
Most of the hunting areas are in multiple-use forests, and commercial forestry management activities might take place in the area also during the hunting season. Some parts of the hunting areas may have specific hunting restrictions due to their protected area status.
Metsähallitus manages the natural resources responsibly and ensures that hunting is conducted according to good practices and on a sustainable basis. By selling hunting permits Metsähallitus aims to guarantee that everyone can experience hunting in state-owned areas and has equal access to them now and in the future. The proceeds from hunting permit sales are used for the benefit of game populations and their habitats, such as in the restoration of peatlands for species such as willow grouse and bean goose (Anser fabalis).
Hunting News
Wilderness crime was on the rise
Last year, there were more instances of fishing without a permit and more use of illegal means of hunting large predators, reveals the wilderness supervision report published today by Metsähallitus. Wilderness supervision inspected nearly 7,000 people during the year. The inspections resulted in 520 measures: 57 cases were referred for pre-trial investigation and 463 resulted in more lenient measures.
Maintenance break in the Excursionmap.fi map service 7 Novemebr
Maintenance will be done in the Excursionmap.fi on Tuesday morning 7th of November 2023 from 07:00 to 10:00. During this period, there may be service interruptions in the Excursionmap.fi.
More than 500 nature visitors required intervention
For the first time, Metsähallitus wilderness supervision has monitored the results of its work in real time throughout the year. The new system reveals that 368 people violated the law while in nature, and 169 people were caught without necessary permits.
You can reserve Metsähallitus huts for 2022 starting on Monday 3 May at 13:00
As of Monday 3 May, you can book reservable huts and rental huts maintained by Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland for 2022. You can make reservations in the Eräluvat webshop.
Game benefits from hunting - The Finnish model
Off-road terrain or road?
Roads constructed by Metsähallitus can be used by vehicles, but driving cross-country is prohibited without a special off-road traffic licence. It is for the driver to recognise the difference between a built road and a cross-country track.
Read more about differences between off-road terrain and road.
Wilderness supervision
The game and fisheries wardens lead the supervision work in state-owned land and water areas. Their work entails the supervision of fishing, hunting, off-road traffic and other wilderness activities.