Outdoor etiquette

Outdoor etiquette for fishers

Take others into account in nature

• Take other fishers and visitors into consideration. Being out in the nature and fishing in state-owned areas are for everyone.
• Remember good manners: "hello, thank you and sorry!”
• Do not reserve spots - give space to others. Take this into account also when camping.
• Take other visitors in water areas, such as boaters and paddlers, into account.
• When fishing in waters you are not familiar with, respect local traditions and fishing culture.
• Respect other people's fishing habits, even if they differ from yours.
• Report any shortcomings to the Game and Fisheries Warden.

Do not litter

• Did you bring it? Then take it home! A responsible fisher does not litter. 
• Collect broken lines, hooks and cigarette butts from the shore. They cause problems for birds and fish.
• Do not leave any traps on the shore.
• Check regularly that the boat’s engine and canisters are intact and in order.
• Make sure that fish guts and other products from cleaning the fish do not affect the comfort of the area.

Respect the catch

• Avoid causing additional suffering to fish.
• Avoid fishing for salmonids in warm waters (more than 20 degrees).
• Find out about catch quotas. Pay attention to protected and undersized fish.
• Always release protected fish with care.
• Only catch as much as you use.
• Ensure proper and respectful handling and immediate killing of catches.
• Prevent the spread of diseases from one water system to another, e.g. by disinfecting fishing gear. 
• Provide game feedback.
• Respect the game also when taking photos of it.

• Observe wading bans to ensure that fish spawn successfully.

Take others into account when boating

• Please note that it is not allowed to fish from a boat in all water bodies. 
• Do not disturb those who live on the shore. Do not enter private yards.
• Store the boat only in permitted locations.

Only make fires where it is permitted

• You always need the landowner’s permission for making a fire.
• Do not start a fire on the road or in peat land.
• Use only permitted firewood for campfires. In Lapland, North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Karelia, making a campfire is permitted on state-owned land. You can use dry branches, twigs and small root stocks to build a fire but not deadwood.
• In national parks, making campfires is generally only permitted at campfire sites. 
• Always check if a wildfire warning is in effect in the area. During the warning, campfires are only permitted in campfire huts and campfire sites with flues. 
• Remember that the lighter is responsible for the safety of the fire and for carefully extinguishing the fire.

Outdoor etiquette for hunters

Take others into account in nature

• Take other hunters and visitors into consideration. Being out in the nature and hunting in state-owned areas are for everyone.
• Remember good manners: "hello, thank you and sorry!”
• Do not reserve spots - give space to others. Take this into account also when camping.
• Ensure safety: remember shooting safety and proper handling of weapons.
• Dress visibly when camouflage is not necessary for hunting. 
• Take local special features into account, such as established hunting practices and reindeer husbandry.
• Report any shortcomings to the Game and Fisheries Warden.

Do not litter

• Did you bring it? Then take it home! A responsible hunter does not litter. 
• Don’t forget to also collect shells. They are a problem for animals and the rest of the environment if they stay in nature.
• Make sure to clean up your campsite. A good campsite does not leave traces in nature.

Respect the game

• Only hunt legal game. Follow catch quotas and recommendations.
• Never shoot a target you haven't identified.
• Do not cause unnecessary suffering to game.
• Shoot close enough and in a good situation. 
• Utilise the game you have caught thoroughly.
• Also pay attention to the safety of immediately deadly traps.
• Provide game feedback.
• Respect the game also when taking photos of it.

Take others into account when driving

• Do not use a car or other motorised vehicle for hunting or following game animals.
• Pay attention to other road users and do not speed.
• If you're unsure where the border between road and terrain is, park your car and go on foot.
• Do not block forest roads. Park the car on the road so that the rest of the traffic is not interrupted. Pay particular attention to timber trucks in winter.

Only make fires where it is permitted

• You always need the landowner’s permission for making a fire.
• Do not start a fire on the road or in peat land.
• Use only permitted firewood for campfires. In Lapland, North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Karelia, making a campfire is permitted on state-owned land. You can use dry branches, twigs and small root stocks to build a fire but not deadwood.
• In national parks, making campfires is generally only permitted at campfire sites. 
• Always check if a wildfire warning is in effect in the area. During the warning, campfires are only permitted in campfire huts and campfire sites with flues. 
• Remember that the lighter is responsible for the safety of the fire and for carefully extinguishing the fire.

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Take care of your dog

• Take care of the dog's well-being also during the hunt. Remember that you are also responsible for any damage caused by it. Liability insurance protects the dog and the owner in the event of an accident.
• Keep the dog off the leash only in hunting and training situations.
• The landowner's permit is required for dog training. Metsähallitus sells dog training permits for state-owned lands.
• Dogs used in hunting in reindeer herding areas in Northern Finland must be trained to ignore reindeer.  
• Find out about ongoing reindeer herding activities in advance. In case of damage, be open and honest, and contact the reindeer owner. 
• Respect the recommendation and only let one dog at a time off the leash when hunting.