The hunting seasons and closed seasons in Lower Saxony are an important part of hunting regulations, which take into account both the interests of hunters and the necessity of species protection and the preservation of animal populations. It is important to understand the difference between these two terms:
- Hunting seasons refer to the time frames in which hunting certain animal species is permitted. They are established to ensure sustainable hunting without endangering the population of a species. Hunting seasons are based on the biological conditions of the animals, such as reproduction and raising of young.
- Closed seasons, on the other hand, are periods during which hunting certain animal species is expressly prohibited. They serve to protect the animals during particularly sensitive phases, such as during the breeding season or the raising of young.
The exact determination of hunting and closed seasons varies depending on the species and serves to balance the needs of hunters with the preservation of a healthy and stable animal population. In Lower Saxony, these times are regulated by law to ensure sustainable management of the native wildlife. Below, the specific hunting seasons for various animal species in Lower Saxony are detailed. The closed seasons are derived accordingly.
Game Species | Hunting Season in Lower Saxony |
---|---|
Red Deer | |
Calves | August 1 to January 31 |
Spikes and Yearlings | April 1 to May 15 and August 1 to January 31 |
Stags and Adult Deer | August 1 to January 31 |
Fallow Deer | |
Calves and Adult Deer | September 1 to January 31 |
Yearlings and Spikes | April 1 to May 15 and August 1 to January 31 |
Stags | August 1 to January 31 |
Sika Deer | |
Calves and Adult Deer | September 1 to January 31 |
Yearlings and Spikes | August 1 to January 31 |
Stags | August 1 to January 31 |
Roe Deer | |
Kids and Does | September 1 to January 31 |
Yearling Bucks | April 1 to May 15 and September 1 to January 31 |
Bucks | April 1 to January 31 |
Other Game | |
Mouflon | August 1 to January 31 |
Wild Boar | Year-round |
Hares | |
Brown Hares | October 1 to December 31 |
Wild Rabbits | October 1 to February 15 |
Wild Rabbits ("Young Rabbits") | Year-round |
Predators | |
Stone Martens | September 16 to February 28 |
Beech Martens | September 16 to February 28 |
Ferrets | August 1 to February 28 |
Weasels | August 1 to February 28 |
Badgers | August 1 to January 31 |
Badgers ("Young Badgers") | Year-round |
Foxes | June 16 to February 28 |
Foxes ("Young Foxes") | Year-round |
Mink | August 1 to February 28 |
Mink ("Young Minks") | Year-round |
Raccoons | July 16 to March 31 |
Raccoons ("Young Raccoons") | Year-round |
Raccoon Dogs | September 1 to February 28 |
Raccoon Dogs ("Young Raccoon Dogs") | Year-round |
Nutrias | Year-round |
Game Birds | |
Partridges | September 16 to November 30 |
Pheasants | October 16 to January 15 |
Wood Pigeons* | August 20 to March 31 |
Wood Pigeons ("Young Pigeons")* | Year-round |
Turtledoves | November 1 to December 31 |
Mute Swans* | November 1 to February 20 |
Egyptian Geese | July 16 to January 15 |
Gray and Canada Geese* | July 16 to January 15 |
Brent Geese* | August 1 to January 15 |
Wild Ducks | September 1 to January 15 |
Teal and Gadwalls | October 1 to January 15 |
Woodcock | October 16 - December 31 |
Coots | September 11 to February 20 |
Common Gulls | October 1 to February 10 |
Rooks | August 1 to February 20 |
Magpies | August 1 to February 28 |
Cormorants* | August 21 to February 28 |
* note current exceptions.
Here are the hunting seasons for other federal states:
Hunting Seasons Berlin
Hunting Seasons Hamburg
Hunting Seasons Saxony
Hunting Seasons Saxony-Anhalt
Hunting Seasons Brandenburg
Hunting Seasons Thuringia
Hunting Seasons Bremen
Hunting Seasons Rhineland-Palatinate
Hunting Seasons Baden-Württemberg
Hunting Seasons North Rhine-Westphalia
Hunting Seasons Bavaria
Hunting Seasons Schleswig-Holstein
Hunting Seasons Hesse
Hunting Seasons Saarland