Hunting Licence in Denmark: A Complete Guide to Your First Licence
Do you dream of hunting in the Danish countryside, sharing in the camaraderie of hunting and gaining a deeper understanding of wildlife, nature and responsible firearms handling? Then a hunting licence is your first and most important step. This complete guide to getting a hunting licence in Denmark gives you a clear overview of how to qualify, which courses you need to take, what the hunting test involves and what holding a licence entails, from start to finish.
What is a hunting licence?
A hunting licence is official proof that you have the knowledge and skills required to hunt in Denmark. It is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to hunt and is issued after you pass the Danish hunting test.
The hunting licence demonstrates your knowledge of:
Hunting legislation and ethics
Firearms handling and safety
Game species and species identification
Habitat management and biology
Hunting methods and practical hunting skills
Who can get a hunting licence?
Most people can qualify for a hunting licence, whether or not they have any hunting experience. The requirements are:
You must be at least 16 years old to take the hunting test
You must pass both a theory test and a practical test
You must hold a valid hunting licence for each hunting year in which you hunt
Young people under 18 may hunt, but special rules may apply to firearms storage and supervision.
The hunting licence course: your foundation
For most people, the journey starts with a hunting licence course. This course is compulsory and must be completed before you can take the hunting test.
What does a hunting licence course cover?
A typical hunting licence course covers:
Hunting legislation and regulations
Types of firearms and safe firearms handling
Shooting technique (often including clay pigeon shooting)
Knowledge of game and species identification
Nature, ecology and game management
Hunting ethics and responsible behaviour
Courses combine theory and practice and often end with internal assessments or mock tests.
How long does a hunting licence course take?
The duration varies, but most courses involve:
1–2 months
20–40 hours of tuition
Classes usually take place in the evenings or at weekends, allowing you to fit them around work or study.
The hunting licence theory test
The theory section of the hunting test assesses your knowledge of hunting and nature.
How the test works
The test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions
You must answer at least 36 out of 40 correctly to pass
The questions cover the entire course syllabus
It is particularly important to know your species identification, hunting seasons and safety rules, as these feature heavily in the test.
The practical hunting licence test
The practical test focuses on safe firearms handling and shooting.
What will you be tested on?
Correct handling of a shotgun
Safety before, during and after firing
Shooting at stationary targets
Range estimation
The test is not about whether you are an expert shot, but whether you can handle firearms safely and responsibly.
What happens after you pass the hunting test?
Once you have passed both the theory and practical tests, you can apply for your hunting licence.
The hunting licence and the hunting year
The hunting year runs from 1 April to 31 March
You must renew your hunting licence every year
The hunting licence is paid for through an annual fee
You may not hunt without a valid hunting licence, even if you have previously passed the test.
Rifle and shotgun shooting tests
Once you have obtained your hunting licence, there are further shooting tests that are relevant and, in some cases, compulsory, depending on the type of hunting you wish to pursue.
The shotgun shooting test
The shotgun shooting test is required if you wish to take part in certain types of hunting, such as game bird shooting. The test ensures that you can shoot safely and responsibly with a shotgun.
Requirements for passing the shotgun shooting test:
The shotgun shooting test involves shooting at clay targets presented from three different directions and focuses on both safety and basic shooting skills.
The candidate must shoot at 6 right-crossing clays, 6 left-crossing clays and 6 going-away clays
Once 2 clays in a category have been hit, that category ends and the candidate moves on to the next
To pass, you must hit at least 2 clays in each category (a minimum of 6 clays in total)
A maximum of 18 cartridges may be used throughout the test
The candidate may choose whether to fire one or two shots per clay
The following shots do not count towards the maximum of 18 cartridges:
Shots at clays that the shotgun test examiner declares invalid targets
Additional shots fired at a clay already judged to have been hit with the first shot
Unsafe firearms handling can result in an immediate fail, regardless of how many clays you have hit. The test ends as soon as the requirements have been met or the cartridge limit has been reached.
The rifle shooting test
The rifle shooting test is compulsory if you wish to hunt deer and other larger game with a rifle.
Requirements for passing the rifle shooting test:
Before you can take the rifle shooting test, you must complete a compulsory shooting course.
Compulsory shooting course:
A total of 25 shots must be fired
Shooting takes place from 5 different shooting positions
The aim is to demonstrate familiarity with shooting, firearms handling and basic shooting skills
The rifle shooting test itself:
Shooting at a stationary target at a distance of 100 metres
You must fire 6 shots
At least 5 out of 6 shots must fall within the designated scoring area
Shooting takes place from an approved shooting position
Correct and safe firearms handling is required
You must pass the rifle shooting test before you may use a rifle to hunt deer. The test demonstrates that you can shoot safely and accurately with a rifle under controlled conditions.
The shooting tests are an important part of responsible hunting, supporting both animal welfare and safety.
Firearms permits and storage
A hunting licence does not automatically entitle you to own firearms. To buy hunting firearms, you must:
Hold a valid hunting licence
Apply to the police for a firearms permit
Store firearms and ammunition in accordance with current regulations
Correct storage is a legal requirement and an important part of hunting safety.
How much does it cost to get a hunting licence?
Costs vary, but you should budget for:
Hunting licence course: approximately DKK 2,500–6,000
Test fees
Annual hunting licence fee
Any shooting range and ammunition costs
Overall, a hunting licence is an investment in knowledge, safety and experiences in nature.
Why get a hunting licence in Denmark?
Getting a hunting licence is about more than hunting. It is about:
Respect for nature and wildlife
Responsible use of firearms
Community and tradition
Experiencing nature throughout the year
With a hunting licence in hand, you open the door to a lifelong interest and a deeper understanding of Denmark’s natural world.
Ready to get your first hunting licence?
Whether you dream of roe buck stalking or duck shooting, or simply want to learn more about nature, a hunting licence is the natural first step. With the right course, thorough preparation and respect for hunting regulations, you are well on your way to a safe and responsible start to your hunting life.
Good luck with your hunting licence!