All you need to know before your hunting trip

Going on a hunting trip is a pleasant way to relax in the company of good friends. Åland, with its location and diversified archipelago nature, is a perfect travel destination for a few days of hunting. Additionally you can try spectacular seal hunting or bow hunting, which is not available in Sweden. Marcus Nordberg is the hunting administrator at the Åland government and explains about the different alternatives for those visiting Åland:

“Basically as a guest you can hunt all that is allowed for the season. Coming strong is autumn hunting for sea birds and seal hunting, but currently it is roe deer hunting that is number one. The hunting takes place with driving dogs or from a tower. There is currently a very strong roe deer population, so I can probably guarantee good hunting results.”

Hunting rights and shooting license

Hunting in Åland demands hunting rights which is connected with land owning and an Åland shooting license. The hunting right comes automatically with your hunting host and an Åland shooting license is received by a simple fax to Marcus Nordberg and the other officials at “Skogbruksbyrån” at the Åland government:

“If you have hunting rights in your home country you also have the right to receive an Åland shooting license. For this you need fax your hunting certificate to Skogbruksbyrån at +358 18 19240. When your license is complete we mail it to you. The shooting license costs 20 € and is valid for a year”, says Marcus Nordberg. 

Several hunting organizers

Depending on which type of hunting you are interested in there are several different organizers to choose from. The Åland organizers are located in different places on the island and have their own specialties. Some of the alternatives are:

• Stormskärs Konferens & Värdshus. On Simskäla in the northeast archipelago, Michael Lindholm offers autumn hunting for sea birds such as common goldeneye, tufted duck and goosander and roe deer hunting from a tower or with a driving dog. You can also hunt seal.

• Alandic Bowhunts offer bow hunting in the company of experienced guides. On the 400 hectare area you can hunt roe deer and fox, raccoon dog and goose.

• Silverskär in the northern archipelago offers customized hunting trips with accommodation and food for smaller groups. Hunting is offered for roe deer and seal.

For further information about rules, permits and organizers, contact Marcus Nordberg, hunting administrator at the Skogsbruksbyrå at the Åland government, phone: 358 18 25 000 or visit the department’s website (in swedish).