Bulgarian Hunting Seasons & Bag Limits 2026
A clean, official-source reference for open/close dates by species.
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Big Game (Едър дивеч)
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Red deer (Благороден елен) — male & young | 1 Sep – 31 Jan |
| Red deer (Благороден елен) — female | 1 Oct – 31 Dec |
| Fallow deer (Елен лопатар) — male & young | 1 Sep – 31 Jan |
| Fallow deer (Елен лопатар) — female | 1 Oct – 31 Dec |
| Mouflon (Муфлон) — trophy-mature male | Year-round |
| Mouflon (Муфлон) — male & female | 1 Sep – 31 Jan |
| Roe deer (Сърна) — male & young | 1 May – 30 Oct |
| Roe deer (Сърна) — female | 1 Sep – 30 Oct |
| Wild boar (Дива свиня) — selective hunt | Year-round |
| Wild boar (Дива свиня) — group hunt | 1 Oct – 2nd Sunday of Jan |
| Wild boar (Дива свиня) — group hunt in hunting yards | 1 Oct – last day of Feb |
| Wolf (Вълк) | Year-round |
Small Mammals (Дребен дивеч — бозайници)
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Hare (Див заек) | 1 Oct – 31 Dec |
| Squirrel (Катерица) | 1 Nov – 31 Dec |
| Muskrat (Ондатра) | 1 Nov – last day of Feb |
| Coypu (Нутрия) | 1 Nov – last day of Feb |
| Jackal (Чакал) — year-round; group hunt outside forest fund | Year-round; group: 1 Jan – last day of Feb |
| Fox (Лисица) | Year-round |
| Raccoon dog (Енотовидно куче) | Year-round |
| Stone marten (Бялка) | Year-round |
| Polecat (Черен пор) | Year-round |
| Badger (Язовец) | 1 Aug – last day of Feb |
Birds (Дребен дивеч — птици)
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| Pheasant (Колхидски фазан)* | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Pheasant — farm-raised (Фермерно произведени)* | 1 Oct – 28 Feb |
| Partridge (Яребица)* | 1 Oct – 30 Nov |
| Partridge — farm-raised* | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Rock partridge (Планински кеклик) | 1 Oct – 30 Nov |
| Thracian partridge (Тракийски кеклик)* | 1 Oct – 30 Nov |
| Thracian partridge — farm-raised* | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Quail (Пъдпъдък) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – 30 Nov |
| Guinea fowl (Токачка)* | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Guinea fowl — farm-raised* | 1 Oct – 28 Feb |
| Wood pigeon (Гривяк) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – 2nd Sunday of Feb |
| Turtle dove (Гургулица) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – 30 Nov |
| Collared dove (Гугутка) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – 31 Dec |
| White-fronted goose (Голяма белочела гъска) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Capercaillie (Глухар) — male only | 15 Apr – 15 May |
| Mallard (Зеленоглава патица) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Pintail duck (Полудива патица) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Garganey (Лятно бърне) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Teal (Зимно бърне) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Wigeon (Фиш) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Shoveler (Лопатарка) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Tufted duck (Черна качулата потапница) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Pintail (Шилоопашата патица) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Coot (Черна лиска) | 1 Oct – 31 Jan |
| Woodcock (Горски бекас) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – last day of Feb |
| Snipe (Обикновена бекасина) | 2nd Saturday of Aug – last day of Feb |
| Starling (Скорец) | Year-round |
| Magpie (Сврака) | Year-round |
| Hooded crow (Сива врана) | Year-round |
| Rook (Посевна врана) | Year-round |
| Jackdaw (Чавка) | Year-round |
Source: НЛРС/СЛРБ — Съюз на ловците и риболовците в България
* Denotes conditions per the official ordinance — always verify with the source before hunting.
2026 Draft Amendment (not yet in force):
A proposed amendment to the Hunting & Wildlife Protection Act is in public consultation until 10 August 2026. Proposed changes include: quail daily bag limit reduced from 15 to 10, electronic hunting-ticket validation, and ministerial power to extend hunting seasons. This checklist reflects current law.
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