Hunting Act (No. 615 of 1993).

The present Act lays down rules concerning hunting, catching, and killing of non-protected animals as well as wildlife management, compensation for damages caused by wildlife, and supervision of dogs. Where appropriate, this Act also applies to the catching and killing of mammals and birds protected under the Nature Conservation Act (71/1923). Furthermore, it contains provisions regarding the care, treatment, and handling of animals in the Animal Welfare Act (693/2023) and the Nature Conservation Act. Provisions regarding hunting conservation fee and hunting license fee are found in the Hunting Conservation Fee and Hunting License Fee Act.
The text consists of 93 sections divided into 11 Chapters: General provisions (1); The right to hunt, hunting leases, and hunting licences (2); Carrying out of hunting operations (3); Methods of hunting (4); Protection of wild animals and wildlife conservation (5); Hunting and protection of wildlife on State lands (6); Capture and killing of non-protected animals (7); Control of dogs (8); Authorities and associations in the field of hunting and wildlife protection (9); Consequences of illegal activities (10); Miscellaneous provisions (11).
Section 2 contains a definition of "hunting", whereas section 3 defines "protection of wildlife". The hunting season shall each year be from 1 August until 31 July (sect. 4). Section 5 specifies animals belonging to the categories "wild animals" and "non-protected animals". The right to hunt and make decisions regarding hunting shall be assigned to the owner of the land, if not provided for otherwise (sect. 6). Section 7 concerns hunting on public waters and in the economic zone. Hunting in protected areas shall be regulated by other legislation (sect. 9). Section 39 of Chapter V provides for the establishment of wildlife protection areas. Exotic species of wild animals shall not be imported or released into nature without permission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (sect. 42). Administration of hunting shall take place by public bodies and the Central Organization of Hunters, Hunting and wildlife Protection Districts and hunting associations in accordance with provisions of the present Act (sect. 56).