Wildlife Act

The law on hunting and trapping of wildlife. The foundation of all hunting legislation in Norway.

The Wildlife Act (law on hunting and trapping of wildlife) is the foundation of all hunting regulation in Norway. The law was enacted in 1981 and regulates who may hunt, what may be hunted, and how hunting must be conducted.

The main principle is that all wildlife is protected unless hunting has been opened through regulation. Hunting seasons must be actively established for each species. Species without an established season are fully protected.

The law establishes that the landowner has exclusive rights to hunting and trapping on their property. The landowner can lease out the hunting rights, but they cannot be sold separately from the property.

Everyone who hunts must have passed the hunter's exam and paid the hunter fee. For big game (deer species), a hunting permit from the vald's landowners is also required.

The Wildlife Act also establishes rules on humane hunting. Wildlife must not be subjected to unnecessary suffering, and the hunter is obligated to track wounded game if there is reason to believe an animal has been injured.

The law is administered by the Norwegian Agriculture Agency (from 2025, previously the Norwegian Environment Agency), which establishes regulations on hunting seasons, hunting methods, and management. Predators are still managed by the Norwegian Environment Agency.