Hunting licence

In order to obtain a hunting licence in Hesse, you must apply for it at the competent lower hunting authority at the district office or the magistrate's office in the case of independent cities.

Prerequisites for the issuance of a (one-year or three-year) hunting licence are:

1. that the applicant has reached the age of 16,
2. the applicant proves that a hunter's examination has been passed,
3. an appropriate hunting liability insurance in accordance with § 17 para. 1 no. 4 Federal Hunting Act and

that there are no grounds for refusal, such as lack of physical fitness or reliability, against the applicant.

When applying for the issue of a hunting licence, bring with you:

• a valid identity document,
• Current passport photo(s) - please enquire in advance at the responsible hunting authority how many passport photos are required.
• the certificate of successful completion of the hunter's examination ,
• a confirmation of sufficient hunting liability insurance (500,000€ for personal injury, 50,000€ for property damage), and
• Means of payment for the administrative fee and the hunting tax.

Before a hunting licence can be issued, the applicant's reliability in terms of weapons law must still be checked.

Due to special regulations, hunting licences for foreigners can be issued without proof of having passed a hunter's examination.

For the issuance of a hunting licence for foreigners, the expertise must be proven, for example, by presenting a foreign hunting licence.

Youth hunting licences can be issued to young people between the ages of sixteen and eighteen.

• Application for a hunting licence.pdf

The following table shows the administrative fees to be charged:

The further table shows the hunting levy to be collected at the same time, which is used for the promotion of hunting in Hesse:

None

If the applicant submits the application to the lower hunting authority and presents all the necessary documents, and if the district administration does not have to carry out any further checks, the hunting licence can usually be issued directly. If an examination according to the weapons law is required, the processing may take longer.

• Federal Hunting Act
• Hessian Hunting Act (HJagdG)

Are usually available from the lower hunting authorities.

• Application for a hunting licence.pdf

When issuing a hunting licence valid in the federal territory to foreigners, special regulations apply, about which the lower hunting authority provides information in individual cases.

Between the ages of 16 and 18, a so-called youth hunting licence is issued. This entitles the holder to hunt in the company of a parent or guardian or an appointed supervisor. The accompanying person must have hunting experience. Participation in social hunts as a marksman is not possible.