Congratulations on successfully passing the hunting exam! We are extremely pleased to congratulate you on obtaining the "Green Abitur". Below, we would like to explain the steps you need to take to acquire your first weapon.

Step 1: Take the Hunter's Exam

First, you have the option to obtain your hunting license at one of the many renowned hunting schools. There are hunting schools in every federal state, totaling about 250 in Germany. The offerings vary greatly. In addition to weekend courses, there are also multi-week intensive courses with subsequent exams and even evening courses. Special individual courses for busy people as well as modern online courses with accompanying in-person phases are also available and are well utilized. For a comprehensive overview, we recommend that you research the hunting schools in your area and the current course offerings online. We suggest visiting our platform Jagdschulen.org.

Step 2: Obtain the Hunting License

After successfully passing the hunter's exam, you can apply for the hunting license, for which you will receive a corresponding examination certificate from the hunting school. However, it should be noted that before a hunting license is issued, which also includes the right to acquire firearms, a reliable assessment of your suitability by the authority takes place. This assessment checks your reliability regarding firearm ownership. This review includes an examination of your police clearance certificate. Since this process can take time, it is advisable to submit the relevant applications in advance to the responsible authority or to inform them about your hunting training. This allows for an early assessment of your person while you are still in training, thus speeding up the issuance of the hunting license. To prepare for this step, it is advisable to contact the responsible lower hunting authority early. If you are unsure which authority this is, the local regulatory office can assist you.

Step 3: Gun Safe

Before acquiring a weapon, it is of utmost importance to ensure that you can store it properly. For this, a suitable gun safe is required. We strongly recommend choosing a protection class of 0, 1, or higher. Given the tightened gun laws and increasing regulations on firearm ownership, a higher protection class minimizes the likelihood that you may soon be forced to purchase a new safe. Gun safes of classes A or B may only be used as existing stock since July 6, 2017. 

Step 4: Purchase of Firearm

For the purchase of your first weapon, only the hunting license is required. It is recommended to acquire a used repeater in one of the calibers .308 Win., .30-06 Spr., or 8x57 IS as your first hunting weapon. 

Step 5: Register the Weapon

When purchasing a weapon, you will receive a transfer declaration. Within 14 days – preferably immediately – we recommend that you contact your firearms authority. In most cases, this is the authority that issued your hunting license or at least can provide further information about it. There, you will present the confirmation of your suitable gun safe, including the delivery note and invoice, the transfer declaration of the weapon, and the form provided by the authority. You can inquire about this form at the authority. After submitting all required documents, a firearms ownership card will be issued to you. Important: A preliminary note in the firearms ownership card is required for the acquisition of a handgun. For future firearm acquisitions, you will need both your firearms ownership card and proof of your entries in the National Firearms Register. You can easily obtain this proof from your firearms authority.

Alternative: Borrowing a Weapon

If, for example, you have been invited to a hunt but do not yet have your own weapon, you can borrow a weapon from someone who is also a hunter or shooter. It is generally necessary to have a purchase permit, meaning a valid hunting license or a firearms ownership card. Since you do not yet have your own weapon, you also do not have a firearms ownership card - in this case, your hunting license is sufficient as a purchase permit. However, you must carry your ID card as well as the loan agreement, which must include your name and address as well as all important details about the borrowed weapon. The lender must also have a loan agreement with the exact same information as a receipt - this way, for example, he can explain during a routine check of his weapon storage why not all weapons are in the safe.

We hope to have provided you with a good overview of what you need to consider when acquiring your first weapon and wish you much success in hunting. Waidmanns Heil!