Hunting Act (2013)

The Act regulates hunting activities in Estonia. It establishes provisions on the formation and use of hunting districts, defines hunting grounds and categories of wild game, and sets out the rights of landowners in relation to hunting. It determines the requirements for obtaining and exercising hunting rights, including hunting certificates, hunting permits, and related documents, and provides rules on the organisation of hunting.
The Act governs the monitoring of wild game populations and requires the preparation of monitoring reports containing data on population status and changes. It provides for the establishment of hunting quotas and structure for different game species and regulates hunting seasons, permitted hunting equipment and methods, and prohibited means of hunting. It also sets rules for the use of hunting dogs, bows, and traps, and establishes procedures for collective hunting.
The Act establishes provisions on compensation for damage caused by wild game, including compensation by users of hunting districts and, in certain cases, by the State. It regulates state supervision over compliance with the Act and defines administrative powers related to inspections and enforcement. It also provides for liability for violations of hunting requirements, including offences and penalties, and sets out procedures concerning the issuance, suspension, and revocation of documents certifying hunting rights.