Hunting matters

All wild animals living in Germany are basically ownerless, i.e. they do not belong to anyone. However, every landowner is entitled to the so-called hunting right to his land.

The right to hunt is the exclusive authorisation to hunt wild animals that are subject to hunting rights in a specific area, to hunt them and to appropriate them.
The right of appropriation includes, among other things, the right to utilise and sell the meat, but also to collect shedding rods and birds' eggs. Anyone who unjustifiably appropriates wild animals or parts of them is liable to prosecution.

The right to practise hunting must be distinguished from the right to hunt. Only the right to hunt authorises the holder to exercise the right to hunt and to hunt. The right to hunt may only be exercised by its holder if he has a hunting licence and is the owner of contiguous areas of land used for agriculture, forestry or fishing of more than 75 hectares (private hunting district). In addition to personal hunting districts, there are communal hunting districts with a minimum size of 200 ha, in which the hunting cooperative is entitled to exercise the hunting rights. The hunting co-operative consists of the owners of the land belonging to a communal hunting district and on which hunting can be carried out. The hunting association generally utilises the hunt by leasing the right to hunt.

The right to hunt is also associated with the duty to preserve the game. The aim of gamekeeping is to maintain a species-rich and healthy population of game that is adapted to the conditions of the landscape and the culture of the land, as well as to care for and secure its livelihood.

Hunting and gamekeeping must 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 land, forest and game and a corresponding balance of interests takes place.
  In addition to game density, increased game damage can occur as a result of constant disturbance from recreational traffic, tourism, sporting activities and inappropriate hunting. The tranquillity factor therefore plays a decisive role in minimising damage. For this reason, certain areas can be declared game rest zones.