Important To Know

Hunting Without A License – What You Risk

Q: What counts as hunting without a license?

It can involve hunting without a valid hunting exam, without a firearm license, without a paid game conservation fee, or without permission from whoever holds the hunting rights. Hunting the wrong game, during a protected season or with a prohibited weapon can also constitute an offense.

Q: What is the difference between a hunting offense and an aggravated hunting offense?

Whether it's judged as aggravated depends, among other things, on which game is involved, how planned the act was and what methods were used. An aggravated hunting offense means significantly tougher penalties than a simpler offense.

Q: Can my firearms and gear be seized?

Yes. Firearms, vehicles and other equipment used in the offense can be seized and forfeited. That can mean losing property of considerable value.

Q: Can I lose my hunting rights or firearm license?

Yes. In addition to the penalty, you can face a hunting ban for a period as well as revocation of your firearm licenses. This affects your ability to hunt for a long time to come.

Q: What happens if I hunt on a foreign license without the right permits?

A foreign license does not automatically grant the right to hunt in Sweden. If proper weapon import, the conservation fee or hunting rights are missing, the hunt can be judged as unlawful just as for a Swedish hunter. Read more on our page about hunting on a foreign license.

Hunting without the proper license, permit or hunting rights counts as a hunting offense in Sweden and can have serious consequences – both criminally and for your future ability to hunt. Here we explain what applies, clearly and without scare tactics.

What Counts As An Offense?

Different Forms Of Unlawful Hunting

Unlawful hunting is more than hunting with no paperwork at all. Several situations can constitute a hunting offense.

Without A Hunting Exam Missing basic eligibility

Without A Firearm License Unlawful possession of a weapon

Without The Conservation Fee Unpaid state hunting card

Without Hunting Rights Hunting on someone else's land

Wrong Game Or Protected Season Outside the hunting seasons

Prohibited Weapon Or Method Against the rules

Consequences

Here's What's At Stake

The consequences of a hunting offense hit your wallet, your gear and your future hunting.

01

Fines Or Imprisonment

A hunting offense can lead to fines or imprisonment. In serious cases, such as hunting protected or endangered species, considerably harsher penalties may apply.
02

Seizure & Forfeiture

Firearms, vehicles and other equipment used in the offense can be seized and forfeited – property of significant value can be lost.
03

Hunting Ban

You may be given a hunting ban for a period, preventing you from hunting legally for a long time.
04

Revoked Firearm License

Your firearm licenses can be revoked, and a conviction makes future applications harder.

Grading

Hunting Offense Or Aggravated Offense?

How serious the offense is judged to be determines the penalty. Here are the differences in brief.

What counts as hunting without a license?

What penalties can I face?

What is the difference between a hunting offense and an aggravated hunting offense?

Can my firearms and gear be seized?

Can I lose my hunting rights or firearm license?

What happens if I hunt on a foreign license without the right permits?

Unsure What Applies?

We're advisors, not lawyers, but we help you understand the rules and do it right from the start. Rules can change – always check the latest information with the Swedish Police and the Swedish EPA. Book a free consultation.

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Hunting Without A License – What You Risk

Different Forms Of Unlawful Hunting

Here's What's At Stake

Fines Or Imprisonment

Seizure & Forfeiture

Hunting Ban

Revoked Firearm License

Hunting Offense Or Aggravated Offense?

Unsure What Applies?