What do I need to hunt lawfully?
Three documents — and missing any one of them turns the hunt into poaching. The right to hunt belongs to adult citizens who have passed a theory and a practical exam before a commission appointed by the agriculture minister; the preparatory courses are run by the hunting associations. To hunt lawfully you need, at the same time: a membership card, a hunting licence — both endorsed for the current calendar year — and a written permit, issued for each individual hunt and specifying the date, the place, the number and the species of game. The fees: theory exam BGN 60 (≈€30.68), practical BGN 35 (≈€17.90), issuing the licence BGN 100 (≈€51.13), annual re-endorsement BGN 15 (≈€7.67).
📋 The rules
- The right to hunt: adults, after a theory and practical exam
- You need a membership card and a licence, endorsed for the year
- You need a written permit for every hunt
- The permit fixes the date, place, number and species
- Fees: exams BGN 60 and 35; licence BGN 100; renewal BGN 15
🔓 Exceptions
- A hunting weapon requires a separate permit under the Weapons Act
- Hunting outside the date, place, number or species in the permit is unlawful
- The hunting associations run the preparatory courses before the exam
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Poaching means hunting without a duly endorsed licence, or with one but without the written permit — and also hunting outside the date, place, number or species set out in the permit. Anyone who kills or takes game in those circumstances is fined and deprived of the right to hunt for 3 years. The weapon and the game are both forfeited, and the value of the game is recovered from you. Where protected species or prohibited methods are involved, the act can be a crime under the Criminal Code rather than an administrative offence. A hunting weapon needs a separate permit — without it, liability is criminal.
📎 Official sources
- lex.bg · Hunting and Game Protection Act →
- Executive Forest Agency →
- Ministry of Agriculture and Food →
❓ Frequently asked
What documents do I need to hunt?
A membership card and a hunting licence, both endorsed for the current calendar year, plus a written permit for each individual hunt.
How do I get a hunting licence?
By passing a theory and a practical exam before a commission appointed by the agriculture minister. The preparatory courses are run by the hunting associations.
What does it cost?
The theory exam is BGN 60 (≈€30.68) and the practical BGN 35 (≈€17.90). Issuing the licence costs BGN 100 once, and the annual re-endorsement BGN 15.
What counts as poaching?
Hunting without a duly endorsed licence, or with one but without a written permit, and hunting outside the date, place, number or species set out in the permit.
What is the penalty?
A fine and loss of the right to hunt for three years. The weapon and the game are forfeited, and with protected species the act can be a crime under the Criminal Code.
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