HungaryMagyarország
Hunting in Hungary is regulated by Act LV of 1996 and its implementing decree, 79/2004 (V. 4.) FVM.
Act LV of 1996 on the protection of game, game management and hunting (Vtv.) is the basic statute. The hunting right is tied to land ownership: it belongs to the owner of the land that forms a hunting ground, but it is usually exercised by a hunting rights holder (for example a hunting association) through a lease.
The details – hunting seasons, permitted methods, bag reporting and trophy evaluation – are set out in the implementing decree 79/2004 (V. 4.) FVM. The hunting year starts on 1 March and ends on the last day of February.
In general, hunting requires a valid hunting licence (vadászjegy), obtained after passing the hunting exam, and a hunting permit issued by the hunting rights holder within the limits of the annual game management plan. The hunting authority (vadászati hatóság) approves game management plans and supervises compliance. Professional interests are represented by the Hungarian National Hunting Chamber.
Always check the current text on the National Legal Database (Nemzeti Jogszabálytár).
Legal documents
Act
1996. évi LV. törvényThe core statute on game management and hunting: hunting rights, hunting grounds and hunting rights holders.
Decree
79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendeletImplementing decree of the hunting act; its Annex 5 lists the hunting seasons.
Hunting seasons
Season calendar →| Species | Sex, age | Season | Status | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common pheasant | pheasant (cock) | Oct 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Common pheasant | pheasant (hen)NoteHen pheasants may only be hunted if released for hunting, up to the number released and within 1,000 m of the release site (section 27 (2)). | Oct 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| European hare | — | Oct 1 – Dec 31 | ● Open · until Dec 31, 2026 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | mature buck | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | ● Open · until Nov 30, 2026 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | buck | Oct 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | second-year buck (first antlers) | Oct 1 – Apr 30 | ● Open · until Apr 30, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | doe | Oct 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | yearling doe | Jun 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Fallow deer | fawn | Oct 1 – May 31 | ● Open · until May 31, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Golden jackal | — | All year | ● All year | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Mallard | —NoteBetween 15 and 31 August hunting is allowed only on flight (evening/morning passage) and more than 50 m from the water's edge; daily bag limit of 8 mallard and coot combined per person (section 27/A (3)). On wetlands of international importance the hunting authority may regulate waterfowl hunting separately (section 27/A (1)). | Aug 15 – Jan 31 | ● Open · until Jan 31, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Mouflon | ram | All year | ● All year | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Mouflon | ewe, young ewe, lamb | Sep 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | mature stag | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | ○ opens Sep 1, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | stag | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | ● Open · until Jan 31, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | second-year stag (first antlers) | Sep 1 – Mar 31 | ● Open · until Mar 31, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | hind | Sep 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | yearling hind | May 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red deer | calf | Sep 1 – Apr 30 | ● Open · until Apr 30, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Red fox | — | All year | ● All year | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Roe deer | buck | Apr 15 – Sep 30 | ○ opens Apr 15, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Roe deer | doe and kid | Oct 1 – end of Feb. | ● Open · until Feb 28, 2027 | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
| Wild boar | — | All year | ● All year | 79/2004. (V. 4.) FVM rendelet |
For information only. The text of the law in force and local decisions of the game manager and hunting authority (e.g. extra protection, extensions) prevail.