Brown Bear Hunting

Estonia is one of the last places in Europe to hunt bear.

Brown Bear Hunting

Estonia is one of the last places in Europe to hunt bear.

1st August to 15th October

Minimum hunting 4 days

Minimum 2 hunters

The largest population of bears is in the Viru district where we have hunting areas although there is a very high density in the rest of Estonia as well.

5 Days of hunting are required for a successful bear hunt. Bear hunting reservations well in advance are necessary.

Bear hunting is done in Estonian from hunting stands in feedlots.

The best hunting period is August.

Brown Bear in Estonia

In Estonia, the number of brown bears is growing. Each season approximately 50-60 bears are hunted in Estonia mainly in August and early September.

The largest population of bears is in the Viru district where we have hunting areas although there is a very high density in the rest of Estonia as well.

5 Days of hunting are required for a successful bear hunt.

Bear hunting is done in Estonian from hunting stands in feedlots.

The best hunting period is August.

Brown Bear Hunting

Brown Bear still hunting is the only form of bear hunting allowed in Estonia. The hunt takes place in our hunting areas where refugees have been created specifically for hunting bear where they are fed from early April to late October. From late September Bears may also be found in oat fields.

Development of hunting

Bear still hunting develops near feeders and oat fields and shooting is done from watchtowers (tree stands) which hide the hunter out of sight and smell of the bear. The hunter will have to wait patiently from 6 pm and may require the hunter to spend up to 8 hours in the high-seat.

The best time for bear hunting is in August, at this time the bear can be found solely feeding in the woods. In late September the bears may be found in oat fields where we have located hunting towers.

2 or 3 bears can be sighted and shot within five days usually. The shooting distance is usually not more than 60 meters and it is recommended to use the highest calibre with which the hunter feels comfortable as well as loads (bullets) suitable for the game.

Hunting Areas

Peculiarities of Still Hunting Bear

During hibernation, a bear loses much weight and needs to quickly regain it to be able to survive hibernation. Bears are always looking to gain weight in areas where food is scarce so if our feeders are well-stocked and maintained with a proper food supply and in this way, the bear will not become hungry or dangerous.

From June to mid-September the bear comes almost daily to the feeders and later combines feeding at the feeders with foraging in oat fields.

The best dates for hunting are from August 1 until September 15 but the bears’ fur is usually in better condition from October even though the hunting is more complicated at that time.

We have cameras placed at the feeders so the hunter, before arriving to Estonia, can review photos of the bears that are entering the feeders and can, more or less, get an idea of the size and physiology of the bears.