Permits and quotas

How hunting permits are allocated and what determines the quotas for deer species.

Hunting permits for deer species are allocated based on population management plans and minimum acreage requirements.

Minimum acreage is the smallest property that grants the right to one hunting permit for a specific species. The municipality sets the minimum acreage. For moose, it typically varies from 3,000 dekar in areas with dense populations to 20,000 dekar where the population is thinner.

The vald (a combined hunting area) adds up the landowners' acreage and calculates the number of permits. A vald of 15,000 dekar in a municipality with a minimum acreage of 5,000 dekar yields 3 hunting permits.

A population management plan is a multi-year plan (usually 3 to 5 years) where the vald and municipality agree on harvest targets. The plan can provide flexibility: instead of harvesting exactly 3 moose per year, the plan may allow 8 to 12 over three years.

The municipality approves population management plans and monitors compliance. Harvest reports must be submitted after each season.

For wild reindeer, the wild reindeer board sets the quota for each reindeer area. Applications for tags are submitted directly to the board or through their websites.

For predators (lynx, wolverine, wolf, bear), the quota is set by the predator management board in each region. The hunt is a license hunt and closes when the quota is filled.