A foreign hunter in Finland needs a Finnish hunting card (game management fee), an area hunting permit from the landholder, and a shooting test certificate to hunt moose or deer with a rifle. The areas with mapped locations lie about 30 km to about 110 km from the city centre. A foreign hunter can get a Finnish hunting card (game management fee paid) for one hunting year at a time via a local game management association, on proof of the right to hunt at home (e.g.
Hunting areas within reach
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Uusimaa (Helsinki's own region)
about 30 km from the city centre (centre of the area)
Game: moose, white-tailed deer, roe deer.
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Kanta-Häme
about 90 km from the city centre (centre of the area)
Game: moose, white-tailed deer, capercaillie (longer season than Uusimaa).
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Päijät-Häme
about 110 km from the city centre (centre of the area)
Game: moose, white-tailed deer, forest grouse.
Game and seasons
| Game | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moose (elk) | 2025-26 for southern/central Finland: 11 Oct 2025 - 15 Jan 2026; ambush hunting on fields 1 Sep - 10 Oct 2025 in many southern and central provinces. | Cervid licence required. |
| White-tailed deer | 2025-26: 1-26 Sep 2025 ambush hunting only; 27 Sep 2025 - 15 Feb 2026. | Cervid licence required. |
| Roe deer | 2025-26: 1 Sep 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; bucks only also 16 May - 15 Jun 2025. | Harvest report mandatory. |
| Wild boar | 1 Aug 2025 - 31 Jul 2026; females with piglets protected 1 Mar - 31 Jul. | — |
| Capercaillie / black grouse | Uusimaa: capercaillie 10-30 Sep 2025; black grouse 10 Sep - 10 Oct 2025. Most other provinces: 10 Sep - 10 Nov 2025. | — |
Best time: October - January for moose in the south (main season from mid-Oct) · Late Sep - Feb for white-tailed deer
What a visiting hunter needs
A foreign hunter can get a Finnish hunting card (game management fee paid) for one hunting year at a time via a local game management association, on proof of the right to hunt at home (e.g. home licence); otherwise must pass the Finnish hunting exam. Finnish citizens living abroad cannot use the foreign route. A separate hunting permit for the specific area is needed from the landholder, club or Metsähallitus (state land).
Guide or local hunter: Not legally stated; the authorities recommend a local host.
Bringing a firearm: Own firearms may be brought; rules depend on country of origin - see the Finnish Police. A shooting test certificate is required for deer/moose/bear/wild boar with a rifle; a valid foreign certificate is accepted, a Finnish one is valid 3 years.
Insurance: Not specified; Riistakeskus notes foreign authorities may ask for proof of insurance.
Hunting exam: Home licence or other reliable proof of hunting right accepted; otherwise Finnish exam.
Cost: Game management fee EUR 43 for hunting year 2023-24 (latest figure found; check current amount).
Authority: Suomen riistakeskus (Finnish Wildlife Agency); Metsähallitus Eräluvat (state land permits) — riista.fi · riista.fi · eraluvat.fi
Good to know
- Seasons quoted are 2025-26 and change yearly - check riista.fi for 2026-27 before travel.
- Seasons differ by province and even within Metsähallitus permit areas.
- Game management fee figure is from 2023-24.
Places to stay around Helsinki
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Hotels in Uusimaa
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Frequently asked
Can a foreign visitor hunt near Helsinki?
A foreign hunter can get a Finnish hunting card (game management fee paid) for one hunting year at a time via a local game management association, on proof of the right to hunt at home (e.g. home licence); otherwise must pass the Finnish hunting exam. Finnish citizens living abroad cannot use the foreign route. A separate hunting permit for the specific area is needed from the landholder, club or Metsähallitus (state land).
What game is hunted near Helsinki?
Moose (elk), White-tailed deer, Roe deer, Wild boar, Capercaillie / black grouse. Seasons and limits differ by species — see the table on this page.
When is the best time for hunting near Helsinki?
October - January for moose in the south (main season from mid-Oct); Late Sep - Feb for white-tailed deer.
How far are the areas from Helsinki?
Uusimaa (Helsinki's own region): about 30 km; Kanta-Häme: about 90 km; Päijät-Häme: about 110 km (straight-line distance from the city centre).
Where to stay in Helsinki
Helsinki city guide Every neighbourhood compared — distances, stations, who each area suits. Fishing near Helsinki The Vantaa River's Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids, inside Helsinki, hold salmon and fin-clipped sea trout; lure fishing needs the state fee (2026: €6/day, €16/week, €47/year) plus a city permit. Hunting across Europe All 10 cities with a researched hunting guide. Sources
- Suomen riistakeskus — foreign guest requirements, shooting test, firearms, dogs
- Suomen riistakeskus — game management fee EUR 43 (2023-24), proof for foreign hunters, insurance note
- Metsähallitus — licences list, state-land permits, recommendation of local host
- Suomen riistakeskus — 2025-26 open seasons by species and province
- ReasonStay methodology — how facts are researched and checked