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Denmark · Hunting seasons

Hunting seasons 2026/27general hunting seasons in Denmark

This page lists the general hunting seasons (jagttider) for all species in Annex 1 (bilag 1) to the Danish executive order on hunting seasons (jagttidsbekendtgørelsen, BEK no. 470 of 17 May 2024), which also applies in the 2026/27 hunting season as long as no new order has been issued. The dates have been copied directly from the order and checked against the official text. Remember that local hunting seasons (lokale jagttider) may apply where you hunt. Updated November 2026.

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BEK no. 470 of 17 May 2024 · Last checked 05.11.2026 · Læs på dansk

Hunting season 2026/27

51Species and sexes
11Groups
PrøveklarAnnex 1
Annex 1

General hunting seasons

SpeciesOpen seasonNote
Hoofed game (deer etc.)
Red deer stag larger than a spiker (Kronhjort større end spidshjort)16.10.–31.12.Different local hunting seasons (lokale jagttider) apply in some places (Annex 3 (bilag 3) for red deer).
Red deer spiker (young stag) (Kronspidshjort)1.9.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 3 (bilag 3) for red deer).
Red deer hind (Kronhind)1.10.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 3 (bilag 3) for red deer).
Red deer calf (Kronkalv)1.9.–29.2.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 3 (bilag 3) for red deer). The executive order (bekendtgørelse) gives the end date as 29.02; in 2027 (not a leap year) the season in practice ends on 28.2.
Fallow buck (Dåhjort)1.9.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 4 (bilag 4) for fallow deer).
Fallow doe and fawn (Då og -kalv)1.10.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 4 (bilag 4) for fallow deer).
Sika stag (Sikahjort)1.9.–31.1.
Sika hind and calf (Sikahind og -kalv)1.10.–31.1.
Roe buck (Råbuk)16.5.–15.7. and 1.10.–31.1.Two periods. Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Roe doe and fawn (Rå og -lam)1.10.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Mouflon ram (Muflonvædder)1.9.–31.1.
Mouflon ewe and lamb (Muflonfår og -lam)1.10.–31.1.
Wild boar, male (boar) (Vildsvin, orne)1.9.–31.1.
Wild boar, sow and piglets (Vildsvin, so og grise)1.10.–31.1.
Predators
Red fox (Ræv)1.9.–31.1.No open season on Bornholm (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Hares and rabbits (lagomorphs)
Brown hare (Hare)1.11.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Wild rabbit (Vildkanin)1.11.–31.1.
Wildfowl (ducks and geese)
Mallard (Gråand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory (fiskeriterritoriet) also 1 January – 31 January.
Garganey (Atlingand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Teal (Krikand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Pintail (Spidsand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Wigeon (Pibeand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Shoveler (Skeand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Gadwall (Knarand)1.9.–31.12.In the fishery territory also 1 January – 31 January.
Greylag goose (Grågås)1.9.–31.1.
Greylag goose on arable land (Grågås på omdriftsarealer)1.8.–31.8.Only on arable land in crop rotation (omdriftsarealer) or immediately adjacent to it – not within 300 m inland of the daily high-water line (sea and fjord) or of lakes larger than 3 ha.
White-fronted goose (Blisgås)1.9.–31.1.
Pink-footed goose (Kortnæbbet gås)1.9.–31.1.
Canada goose (Canadagås)1.9.–31.1.
Canada goose on arable land (Canadagås på omdriftsarealer)1.8.–31.8.Same limits as for greylag goose on arable land (the 300 m rule).
Bean goose (Sædgås)No open seasonNo general open season, but a local season applies in certain municipalities (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Tufted duck (Troldand)1.10.–31.1.
Scaup (Bjergand)1.10.–31.1.
Goldeneye (Hvinand)1.10.–31.1.
Eider, drake (Ederfugl, han)1.10.–31.1.Drakes only. No open season in the bird protection areas (fuglebeskyttelsesområder) F2, F15, F31, F36, F47, F57, F64, F71, F72, F73, F94, F96, F98, F102, F110, F127 and F128.
Common scoter (Sortand)1.10.–31.1.
Gamebirds (partridge and pheasant)
Grey partridge (Agerhøne)16.9.–31.10.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Pheasant (Fasan)1.10.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Rails (coot)
Coot (Blishøne)1.10.–31.1.
Waders
Common snipe (Dobbeltbekkasin)1.9.–31.12.
Woodcock (Skovsneppe)1.10.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Gulls
Herring gull (Sølvmåge)1.9.–31.1.Different local hunting seasons apply in some places (Annex 2 (bilag 2)).
Pigeons
Woodpigeon (Ringdue)11.11.–31.1.
Corvids
Magpie (Husskade)1.9.–31.1.
Crow (hooded crow and carrion crow) (Krage (gråkrage og sortkrage))1.9.–31.1.
Invasive species
Egyptian goose (Nilgås)1.9.–31.1.
Muskrat (Bisamrotte)1.9.–31.1.
Coypu (nutria) (Sumpbæver)1.9.–31.1.
Raccoon (Vaskebjørn)1.9.–31.1.
Raccoon dog (Mårhund)1.9.–31.1.
American mink (Mink)1.9.–31.1.

Local hunting seasons: The table shows the general hunting seasons in Annex 1 (bilag 1). In a number of areas, different local hunting seasons (lokale jagttider) apply – for red deer in Annex 3 (bilag 3), for fallow deer in Annex 4 (bilag 4) and for other species in Annex 2 (bilag 2). Always check the rules for the area where you hunt.

Time of day: As a general rule, hunting is only permitted between sunrise and sunset. However, ducks and geese may be hunted from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, and magpie, hooded crow and carrion crow from 1 hour before sunrise until sunset. For red deer, a local hunting season may set different hours.

Source: Executive Order no. 470 of 17 May 2024 on hunting seasons for certain mammals and birds etc. (Bekendtgørelse om jagttid for visse pattedyr og fugle m.v.), Annex 1 (bilag 1). The dates are reproduced without changes.

About the 2026 review of hunting seasons (updated November 2026): The hunting seasons were scheduled to be revised with effect from the 2026/27 hunting season. However, as of 4 November 2026 no new executive order on hunting seasons has been published on Retsinformation, and BEK no. 470/2024 is still listed as in force. We therefore show the hunting seasons from BEK 470/2024. When a new order comes into force, we will update this page – until then, always check the current text on Retsinformation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When is the open season for red deer?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Red deer stag larger than a spiker 16.10.–31.12.; Red deer spiker (young stag) 1.9.–31.1.; Red deer hind 1.10.–31.1.; Red deer calf 1.9.–29.2. Different local seasons apply in some areas, so always check the rules for the area where you hunt.

When is the open season for fallow deer?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Fallow buck 1.9.–31.1.; Fallow doe and fawn 1.10.–31.1. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for roe deer?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Roe buck 16.5.–15.7. and 1.10.–31.1. (Two periods); Roe doe and fawn 1.10.–31.1. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for fox?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Red fox 1.9.–31.1. (No open season on Bornholm (Annex 2 (bilag 2))). Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for hare?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Brown hare 1.11.–31.1. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for pheasant?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Pheasant 1.10.–31.1. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for greylag goose?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Greylag goose 1.9.–31.1.; Greylag goose on arable land 1.8.–31.8. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for mallard?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Mallard 1.9.–31.12. (In the fishery territory (fiskeriterritoriet) also 1 January – 31 January). Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for wild boar?

The general open season under Annex 1 (bilag 1) of BEK no. 470/2024: Wild boar, male (boar) 1.9.–31.1.; Wild boar, sow and piglets 1.10.–31.1. Always check whether local rules apply where you hunt.

When is the open season for roe buck?

The general hunting season (jagttid) for roe buck is 16 May – 15 July and 1 October – 31 January. For roe does and fawns it is 1 October – 31 January. Local variations may apply.

When can you shoot mallard?

Mallard has a general season of 1 September – 31 December. In the fishery territory (fiskeriterritoriet) it may also be hunted 1 January – 31 January.

Is there an open season for bean goose?

Not generally. Annex 1 (bilag 1) gives no open season, but Annex 2 (bilag 2) sets a local season for bean goose in certain municipalities.

When is the open season for woodpigeon?

Under BEK 470/2024, the general season for woodpigeon is 11 November – 31 January.

Have the new 2026 hunting seasons come into force?

As of 4 November 2026, no. No new executive order on hunting seasons has been published, and BEK no. 470 of 17 May 2024 remains in force. This page will be updated when that changes.

At what times of day may you hunt?

As a general rule, between sunrise and sunset. Ducks and geese may be hunted from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, and magpies and crows from 1 hour before sunrise until sunset.

Do you need to know the hunting seasons for the Danish hunting exam?

Yes. SGAV's guidelines list the general hunting seasons in Annex 1 (bilag 1) and hunting seasons by month as part of the syllabus for the written hunting exam (jagtprøve).

Sources

Prøveklar (proveklar.eu) is an independent practice service. We are not affiliated with the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (Styrelsen for Grøn Arealomlægning og Vandmiljø, SGAV), the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen), the Danish Nature Agency (Naturstyrelsen) or any other authority, and our questions are not the official exam questions. The rules in force can be found at retsinformation.dk and sgavmst.dk. Updated November 2026. Last checked: 05.11.2026.