Hunting Regulations in Bulgaria

The president of the hunting club issues the hunter a permit for individual hunting of migratory game valid for a period not exceeding one calendar month. The hunter, shall enter the date of the hunt prior to commencing the hunt and, immediately upon completion of the hunt, shall enter in the permit the species and quantity of game taken, and shall carry the permit with them on every hunting outing within the hunting management area.

No later than 3 days after the last hunting date indicated on the permit, the hunter shall return the permit, completed with all relevant information (species and number of game killed), to the chairman of the hunting club;

Permits for individual hunting of migratory game for the month are provided by the association’s game management specialist to the hunting club chairman in duplicate.

For individual hunting of predators, the hunting period is up to one calendar month, and only the permit issuance fee of 1 lev is payable.

The trophy obtained during the hunt must be processed and registered within one month at the State Forestry Enterprise (SFE) or State Hunting Enterprise (SHE) in whose area of operation the hunting management area where the trophy game was shot is located. Before or after registration, the trophy is appraised by an appraisal committee of the relevant State Forestry Directorate (DFS) or State Hunting Enterprise (DLS).

The hunting permit must include the names of the hunter or hunters (in the case of group hunting), the numbers of the hunting licenses and membership cards, the date (for group hunting) or dates (for individual hunting) of the hunt, the location (hunting ground or area) of the hunt, the species and number of game animals authorized for harvest, and the name of the hunt leader in the case of a group hunt.

Permits for group hunting of migratory and waterfowl are issued by the hunting specialist upon a prior request from the hunting club president, specifying the number of permits, the type of game to be hunted, the hunting grounds where the hunting will take place, and the hunting dates. The first copies of the permits, filled out with this information, are provided to the club president, who enters the name of the hunt leader and provides him with the completed first copy of the permit, along with the accompanying coupons.

Before the hunt begins, the hunt leader enters in the permit the names of the hunters, the serial numbers of their hunting licenses and membership cards, conducts the briefing required under Article 59, paragraph 3, item 4, collects the fees specified in Article 65, paragraph 2, and distributes the coupons to them. Immediately after the hunt ends, the hunt leader records the hunting results (species and number of birds shot) and the participants’ coupons in the permit.

Within three days, the hunt leader shall return the completed permit, together with the unused coupons and the collected funds, to the chairman of the hunting club.

Failure to report hunting permits on time and to transfer the funds due for them may constitute grounds for the State Forestry Service (SFS) or the State Hunting Service (SHS) to refuse to issue new permits;

1. Hunting of big game shall be conducted only on an individual basis using selective hunting methods. An exception is made for wild boar, for which group hunting is also permitted.

2. Selective hunting of big game may take place any day of the week, while group hunting of wild boar is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, and on days designated as official holidays. On weekdays designated as holidays, group hunting of wild boar is not permitted.

3. To conduct individual or selective hunting of big game, a written hunting permit is issued by the game management specialist at the hunting association. The procedure for issuance is as follows:

the chairperson of the hunting unit, which has an approved plan for the use of the relevant species of big game, submits a written proposal to the association’s hunting management specialist, which includes—the hunter’s full name, the number of their selective hunting certificate, the game species (e.g., red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, mouflon, or others) to be hunted, and the hunting period (maximum of seven consecutive days). Along with the written proposal, the hunting club president or the person who will be hunting must present their selective hunting permit and pay the association the fee for the hunting permit, which is currently 30 leva for all types of big game and a fee of 1 lev;
Before issuing the permit, the game management specialist coordinates with the relevant State Forestry Enterprise (SFE) or State Hunting Enterprise (SHE) to designate the official who will accompany the hunter during the hunt (for hunting red deer, fallow deer, mouflon, and wild boar; however, no escort from the State Forestry Directorate or State Hunting Enterprise is required when hunting roe deer. The official then issues the hunting permit in duplicate, entering the following information: the hunter’s full name, the number of the selective hunting certificate, the numbers of the membership card and the hunting license, the hunting period (maximum 7 consecutive days), the hunting location (hunting ground or area), the game species (specifying sex and age group), the number of game animals authorized to be shot, and the name of the escort;
the first copy of the permit is given to the hunting club president or the authorized person (most often the hunter who will be hunting) and must be carried on every hunting trip within the hunting management area.
5. Hunting is conducted using the selective hunting methods and techniques that the hunter deems most effective.

6. Upon completion of the hunt, the hunter or guide/official records the results of the hunt—species, sex, number, and weight of the game shot—and returns the completed permit to the hunting association within three days.

7. For individual wolf hunting, the hunting period is up to one calendar month, and only the permit issuance fee of 1 BGN is payable.

8. The trophy obtained during the hunt must be processed and registered within one month at the State Forestry Enterprise (SFE) or State Hunting Enterprise (SHE) in whose operational area the hunting district where the trophy game was harvested is located. Before or after registration, the trophy shall be appraised by an appraisal committee of the relevant State Forestry Administration (SFA) or State Hunting Enterprise (SHE).

9. For group hunting of wild boar, the following must be noted:

the group must consist of 8 to 20 hunters/shooters and beaters;
the hunting permit is issued for only one day and is formalized as a document signed by several officials who bear responsibility for it.The game management specialist at the hunting association fills out both copies of the permit, specifying the game species to be hunted, the area (hunting ground) where the hunt will take place, and the date of the hunt.
The first copy, filled out in this manner, along with the coupons, is submitted to the hunting club’s chairperson, who enters the name of the hunt leader on the permit and provides it to the hunt leader along with the coupons.

The hunt leader fills in all remaining information on the permit and the tickets, conducts the briefing pursuant to Article 59 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Hunting and Fishing Act, ensures that each participant in the hunt signs the declaration under the same article, collects the permit fee from all participants in the hunt (currently 60 BGN), and distributes the completed tickets;

All hunters must be equipped with bands, hats, or clothing in a bright, high-visibility color;
The use of alcohol and narcotic/sedative substances is prohibited before and during the hunt;
Up to ten hunting dogs may be used;
Upon completion of the hunt, the hunt leader records the results on the permit and finalizes the tickets for each participant;
Within three days, the hunt leader returns the completed permit and the collected fee to the club president.