Jagdgesetz

Jagdgesetz is the German term for hunting law, the legal framework that governs hunting activities, wildlife management and conservation in German-speaking countries.

In Germany, the core statute is the Bundesjagdgesetz, which provides the general framework and is implemented in detail by the individual Landesjagdgesetze at the state level. The law covers who may hunt, licensing requirements, hunting seasons, bag limits, permissible methods and equipment, and the protection of non-target species and habitats. It also regulates the responsibilities of hunters, including safety obligations, reporting requirements, and the handling of game.

Hunters must typically complete a formal training and pass a state examination to obtain a Jagdschein (hunting license). The Jagdschein authorizes hunting on designated land and within the limits set by the relevant Landesjagdgesetz and administrative rules. Enforcement is carried out by wildlife and police authorities, and penalties range from fines to license suspension or revocation for violations such as illegal hunting, trespass, or animal cruelty. The legislation is designed to balance hunting as a form of wildlife management with conservation goals and property rights.

In other German-speaking countries, similar statutes exist under the title Jagdgesetz, with national or regional variants that share core principles, though specifics differ by country.