Wilderness supervision
The Wildlife Service Finland, Metsähallitus carry their responsibility for Finnish nature. It conduct expert wilderness supervision to ensure that Finland's natural resources are used sustainably and according to good practices. These wilderness supervision efforts are headed by Metsähallitus' game and fisheries wardens whose work entails the supervision of fishing, hunting, off-road traffic and other wilderness activities. They conduct their work in state-owned areas, which comprise roughly one third of Finland’s surface area.
Game and fisheries wardens are law enforcement officers whose rights are very similar to those of police officers. Supervision of fishing, hunting and off-road traffic is carried out in co-operation with other authorities and partners, such as the police and the Finnish Border Guard.
News about Wilderness Supervision
Eräluvat.fi will be updated in November - save your permits and re-register
The Eräluvat.fi website and the Eräluvat webshop will be merged and renewed on November 19th. As a result of the update, old customer accounts will no longer be available, and you will not be able to view previously purchased permits. Paid permits continue to be valid, but it is best to take special care to save them. After the update, you need to create a new customer account.
Changes in the Eräluvat online store: permits and huts must be paid for immediately
Starting from October 4th, it will no longer be possible to reserve permits or huts in the Eräluvat online store; orders must be paid for immediately. This change is due to the renewal of the Eräluvat service. We are already preparing for the introduction of the new system.
Vesa Ruusila appointed Director of Game and Fisheries at Metsähallitus
Vesa Ruusila, PhD, has been appointed Metsähallitus Director of Game and Fisheries by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Ruusila joins the Metsähallitus staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, where he serves as a game and fisheries adviser and Head of Unit for Game and Fisheries. Ruusila will assume his duties at Metsähallitus on 1 December 2024.
Wilderness crime was on the rise
Last year, there were more instances of fishing without a permit and more use of illegal means of hunting large predators, reveals the wilderness supervision report published today by Metsähallitus. Wilderness supervision inspected nearly 7,000 people during the year. The inspections resulted in 520 measures: 57 cases were referred for pre-trial investigation and 463 resulted in more lenient measures.
Game and Fisheries Staff
Are you looking for a specific person or information on a certain area?
You'll find the right person on the page Game and fisheries staff.
Off-road terrain or road?
Roads constructed by Metsähallitus can be used by vehicles, but driving cross-country is prohibited without a special off-road traffic licence. It is for the driver to recognise the difference between a built road and a cross-country track.
Read more about differences between off-road terrain and road.