New rules for hunting red deer come into force in Bavaria on 31 October 2026. The changes concern hunting seasons, cull planning and certain rules on feeding. Trapping in areas where hunting is otherwise restricted is also being revised.
Here are the main changes in simple terms.
1. New hunting seasons for red deer
Yearling females and yearling stags may in future be hunted from 1 May to 15 January.
The season for calves and adult females runs from 16 July to 15 January.
All other stags may still be hunted from 1 August. Their season will also end on 15 January.
This means that hunting begins earlier for several red deer classes. At the same time, the season for all red deer ends in mid-January, allowing the winter rest period to begin earlier.
Go directly to the overview: View all hunting seasons by month and year →
2. Cull plans may cover three years
Red deer cull plans may in future cover three hunting years if the statutory conditions are met. Until now, they were generally prepared for one hunting year.
Under a three-year plan, one third of the total cull is generally allocated to each year. For the individual classes, the annual figure may be exceeded or undershot by up to 20 per cent.
In a leased communal hunting ground, the hunting cooperative’s executive board must agree to a three-year plan. In a leased private hunting ground, the agreement of the person holding the hunting rights is required. The new option does not apply to group cull plans.
3. Clearer rules on feeding red deer
Within designated red deer areas, diversionary feeding may take place from 1 November to 15 May. Its purpose is to guide red deer and reduce damage to woodland.
Red deer in winter enclosures may be fed from 1 November to 31 May.
Local agreement is also required. In communal hunting grounds, the hunting cooperative’s executive board must agree. In leased private hunting grounds, agreement with the person holding the hunting rights is required.
The amendment does not provide general permission to feed red deer everywhere. It applies only where the conditions in the regulation are met.
4. What is changing for trapping?
Hunting is generally suspended in restricted areas. These include inhabited properties, for example. Trapping there is therefore permitted only when the legal requirements are met and the necessary authorisation has been granted.
The new rule means that the person holding the hunting rights no longer has to carry out authorised trapping there personally. They may commission another hunting licence holder to do so. The landowner or authorised user must still consent.
Where a live-capture trap is used, the rule also covers the necessary dispatch shot. It is not a general permit for trapping in restricted areas. Other statutory restrictions, especially the protection rule in Section 20(1) of the Federal Hunting Act, continue to apply.
What does this mean in practice?
The new rules give the people responsible locally more flexibility, but that flexibility is subject to clear conditions. Before taking action, they should check the exact wording of the regulation, the applicable cull plan and any requirements imposed by the lower hunting authority.
The amending regulation was published on 30 October 2026 and comes into force on 31 October 2026.
Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Hunting announcement (German) ↗