Hunting

There are a total of 51 species of wild game in Estonia (20 mammals, 31 birds). Under the Hunting Act, game is divided into large and small game. Large game include elk, red deer, wild goat, wild boar, brown bear, wolf, lynx and gray seal. A list of small game can be found in the hunting rules. Only the user of the hunting area has the right to hunt large game.

The Environmental Board organizes the hunting and hunting activities of wild animals and birds living in the wild in hunting areas and provides input in its field to relevant documents. In addition to issuing permits and approvals, the work of hunting councils is coordinated, predator damage is assessed and landowners and hunters are advised. The field is handled by hunting specialists from the Hunting and Aquatic Life Department of the Environmental Board.

The supervision department checks the legality of hunting (based on the Hunting Act and hunting rules). Adherence to hunting times, the existence of permits, the condition of documents and the safety of hunting are monitored.

In the case of offenses, the Environmental Board conducts misdemeanor or criminal proceedings, depending on the amount of environmental damage caused. Prevention and cooperation with hunting areas are important to prevent hunting violations and accidents.