HUNTING IN ITALY

Hunting in Italy

The main hunting (caccia) season in Italy is from September to February for most animals, and until March for migratory birds. Game is considered public property that you can hunt in most places, provided you have appropriate license and materials, at least 100m (328ft) from a house, and don’t damage crops. There are an estimated 800,000 regular hunters, mainly in Tuscany and Sardinia.

Most hunting in Italy is done using shotguns (Brescia Province is where you find several gun manufacturers), and popular prey includes wild boar, rabbit, hare and many species of bird, including songbirds, many of which are protected in other countries.

Hunters are a powerful political group, and although hunting is controversial with several protests organized on the opening day; however,  the pro-hunting lobby has managed to overcome all efforts to have it banned.

If you take part in hunting, you must ensure that you’re aware of the regulations governing which species can be shot. Enthusiasm for hunting has resulted in many animals becoming rare, endangered or extinct, and new laws have been introduced to provide greater protection for many birds and animals. Italy, stretches over 800 miles from north to south and in that distance features a wide variety of topographic reliefs and climates, from the high Italian Alps in the north, down the Apennine Mountains that run the whole length of Italy to the Mediterranean islands in the far south, with their almost African-type climates. The great range in topography makes Italy home to almost every European big game species there is.

There are several private hunting properties in Italy.

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