Bear hunting in the reindeer herding area

We will update the 2025 information during July–August.

In the reindeer herding area, bear hunting is permitted until the quota set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is filled or the hunting season ends (August 20–October 31). On state-owned land, you need a Metsähallitus bear hunting permit for the reindeer herding area if you live outside the free hunting rights area (as defined in Section 8 of the Hunting Act).

The bear permit is personal and applies only to state-owned land. One permit entitles you to harvest one bear.

If you are permanently residing in Lapland, Kainuu, Kuusamo, Pudasjärvi or Taivalkoski, you have free hunting rights also for bear on the state-owned land in your municipality. A Metsähallitus bear permit is required only when hunting outside your home municipality. Note that not all municipalities in the reindeer herding area qualify for free hunting rights. If you live in Utajärvi, Ii, or the Yli-Ii or Ylikiiminki areas of Oulu, you will also need a bear permit for hunting in your home municipality's state lands.

Bear hunting is prohibited in the border zone. To track an injured bear that has crossed into the zone or retrieve one that has been shot there, you must always obtain permission from the Border Guard.

How to obtain a bear hunting permit for the reindeer herding area

In 2025, bear permit sales begin on August 11 at 9:00 a.m.

• Season permit: €60
• Day permit: €30

Permits are available at Eräluvat.fi or via the service number 020 69 2424. Be sure to read the terms of purchase and cancellation before purchasing.

Bear hunting quotas

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Decree 451/2024 (finlex.fi, in Finnish or Swedish):

• Western quota area: 10 bears
• Eastern quota area: 60 bears

The decree for the 2025 hunting quotas will be issued in July.

Eastern quota area municipalities: Utsjoki, Inari, Sodankylä, Pelkosenniemi, Savukoski, Salla, Kuusamo, and Suomussalmi Western quota area: all other municipalities within the reindeer herding area

You can follow the real-time quota status on the Finnish Wildlife Agency’s website Karhusaaliit (Bear harvest, riista.fi, in Finnish). Local radio will also announce when the quota is reached, and hunting is suspended.

Bear hunting season starts at midnight on August 20, 2025, and ends when the area-specific quota is met or by October 31, 2025 at 24:00, whichever comes first.

Permit Zones

As of 2024, state lands in the reindeer herding area are divided into four zones. You must purchase a permit for the area where you plan to hunt. Each zone is designated as part of either the eastern or western quota area (or both).

2721 Reindeer Area 1

• Suomussalmi, Kuusamo (eastern quota area); Taivalkoski, Hyrynsalmi, Puolanka (western quota area)    
• Quota: 625 season permits, 30 daily permits/day

2722 Reindeer Area 2

• Savukoski, Salla, Pelkosenniemi (eastern quota area)
• Quota: 650 season permits, 30 daily permits/day

2723 Reindeer Area 3

• Inari, Utsjoki, Sodankylä (eastern quota)
• Quota: 750 season permits, 40 daily permits/day

2724 Reindeer Area 4

• Enontekiö, Ii, Kemijärvi, Kittilä, Kolari, Muonio, Oulu, Pello, Posio, Pudasjärvi, Ranua, Rovaniemi, Simo, Tervola, Utajärvi, Ylitornio (western quota area)    
• Quota: 750 season permits, 40 daily permits/day

Maps and Harvest Reports in Oma riista App

You can download the bear hunting maps for each permit area into the Oma riista mobile app. Steps:

1. Open the Oma riista app (in Finnish)
2. Go to the map view
3. Open Settings (gear icon)
4. Under "Add area", choose "Oma riista area"
5. Select “Area ID” 
6. Enter the correct code (year 2024):
   • 2721: PFBD2ZHMHB
   • 2722: DFYTLNM8P3
   • 2723: 36HDLGM4RA
   • 2724: 7WUMT2GKF3
7. Tap OK to load the map. 

Codes for fall 2025 will be updated in August.

Reporting the Harvest

Reporting a bear harvest is mandatory by law. You can file the report directly in the field using the Oma riista mobile app. If no network is available, the report will be sent automatically once your phone reconnects and the app is opened.