Hunting matters
Performance specification
All wild animals living in Germany are basically ownerless, i.e. they do not belong to anyone. However, every landowner is basically entitled to the so-called hunting right to his or her land.
The hunting right is the exclusive authority to keep wild animals subject to hunting rights in a certain area, to hunt them and to appropriate them.
The right of appropriation is understood to include, among other things, the right to exploit and sell the meat, but also the right to collect dropping sticks and birds' eggs. Anyone who unjustifiably appropriates wild animals or parts of them is liable to prosecution.
The right to hunt must be distinguished from the right to hunt. Only the right to hunt allows the holder to exercise the right to hunt and to hunt. The hunting right may only be exercised by its holder if he or she holds a hunting licence and is the owner of contiguous land with agricultural, forestry or fishery use of more than 75 ha (own hunting district). In addition to own hunting districts, there are communal hunting districts of a minimum size of 200 ha in which the hunting cooperative has the right to hunt. The hunting cooperative consists of the owners of the land that belongs to a common hunting district and on which hunting can be practised. As a rule, the hunting cooperative uses the hunt by leasing the right to hunt.
The right to hunt is also associated with the duty to keep game. The aim of game management is to maintain a species-rich and healthy game population adapted to the landscape and landscape-cultural conditions as well as to care for and safeguard its livelihood.
Hunting and game management shall be carried out in such a way that- the diversity of wild animals and plants is preserved. Sufficient habitat is available for all species. Endangered animal and plant species are protected and promoted.
- the habitat of the game is promoted and protected against encroachment,
- the game population is adapted to the possibilities and limits of the habitat and hunting is carried out in such a way that no avoidable pain or suffering is inflicted on the game.
- all determinations are made in such a way that a compatible coexistence of farmland, forest and game and a corresponding balance of interests take place.
In addition to game density, increased game damage can occur as a result of constant disturbances caused by recreational traffic, tourism, sporting activities and improper hunting. The factor of tranquillity is therefore of decisive importance for the reduction of damage. Therefore, certain areas can be declared game rest areas.
Legal basis