Game and Fisheries Wardens

Wilderness supervision offers services and education for the benefit of Finnish nature. For this purpose, Metsähallitus employs Game and Fisheries Wardens in a public-service capacity. Metsähallitus Game and Fisheries Wardens, who lead the supervision of state-owned land and water areas, are experts in nature and terrain in their respective areas. They are well versed in human activity in the wilderness.

Metsähallitus employs 11 permanent game and fisheries wardens. The Game and Fisheries Warden is named on the destination page for each Metsähallitus angling permit, trap permit and small game area. You can also see the areas of operation of Game and Fisheries Wardens on this map.

Job description

Game and fisheries warden is a legality control official whose duties, qualification requirements and powers are defined in the Act on Wilderness Supervision.

The Game and Fisheries Warden is responsible for the supervision of legal compliance and permits for hunting, fishing, nature conservation, off-road and water traffic in state-owned areas and generally in all nature activities. They also guard state-owned areas and other assets administered by Metsähallitus.

The qualification requirement for a Game and Fisheries Warden post is a Bachelor of Police Services degree, familiarity with game and fisheries supervision and an impeccable lifestyle.

The powers of the game and fisheries warden are primarily limited to state-owned areas. In their work, game and fisheries wardens aim to prevent illegal or prohibited activities, protect the fauna and safeguard traversing in the wilderness by guiding and instructing the populace. If necessary, the game and fisheries warden has the authority to use force and receive assistance from the police or border guards. The powers of the game and fisheries warden include but are not limited to the rights to see a person's identification, to apprehend a person, to conduct a safety inspection, to monitor for drunken driving and to seize property.

A Game and Fisheries Warden can be identified by their uniform and, in general, also by the insignias on their vehicle. Wilderness supervision is carried out by different means on land, water and air. A Game and Fisheries Warden has a badge, which they must present upon request. In addition to police training, many of our Game and Fisheries Wardens also have training in forestry, border guarding or national defence as well as a solid background in police work.

The first Game and Fisheries Warden posts were established in remote areas, where there was inadequate police authority. Today’s wilderness supervision professionals place an emphasis on preventing violations. They visit schools and organisations to talk about good wilderness practices.

Wilderness supervision network

Wardens co-operate with other authorities, game management associations and fishery areas as well as Metsähallitus personnel. The law enforcement authorities for wilderness control are Metsähallitus wardens, Finnish Police, Finnish Border Guard and Finnish Customs.

Game management association hunting supervisors are appointed by the Finnish Wildlife Agency upon proposals made by game management associations. Hunting supervisors operate in the area of one or more game management associations, depending on how many game management associations they have been appointed to by the Finnish Wildlife Agency. Hunting supervisors are required to undergo training.

A fishing supervisor may be appointed by a fisheries area, the owner of a water area or an authority. Fishing supervisors must earn a qualification organised by an ELY Centre to hold the post.

Metsähallitus personnel supervise permit matters related to their duties under the guidance of Game and Fisheries Wardens.