HUNTING IN POLAND

    The only national hunters' organization of the country, Polish Hunting Association has both hunters and clubs as members. Its supreme body, National Assembly of Representatives meets every 5 years and elects a 30-members Council which performs the Assembly's duties between meetings. It, in turn, appoints the executive General Administration.
The Association's Bureau comprises the President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary. Only the President is paid for his duties.
   The activity of the Polish Hunting Association shall be supervised by Minister of the Environment. The legal basic is the Law on Hunting, 13 October 1995. All game living in the wild belongs to the Polish State. The hunting right does not belong to the landowner and can only be exercised by members of the Polish Hunters’ Association, the only national hunters’ organization.  The country is divided into 5.250 hunting districts with a minimum area of 3.000 ha. The Districts are leased out to legally constituted clubs, on 10-year contracts, by the provincial governor (open land) or the regional forestry Director (woodland).
 In this way 4.725 or 92%  (2012) hunting districts are leased out, whilst the others are managed by the authorities. The average hunt able area per hunter is not greater than 300 ha.
     Hunting clubs, currently 2536, pay for game rearing and protection, the hunting lease and for game damage to crops.
 Annual hunting plans shall be developed, and shall be subject to approval by the proper district forester of the State Forests in agreement with the Polish Hunting Association. Clubs’ income accrues from membership fees, sales of game meat, hunts organized for foreign visitors, and export of live game (especially Hares). Clubs must employ a gamekeeper, acting in official capacity, on each territory.

The Polish Hunters' Association (PZL) member may be a natural person who meets the following conditions:
- One-year apprenticeship in hunting club.
- Passed the hunting exam.
- Minimum age: 18.
- No criminal record.
- Has Polish citizenship and enjoy full rights of citizenship.
The Polish Hunters' Association member may also be an foreigner who has the right of resident or permanent residence in the Republic of Poland, and satisfies the above conditions except of course the Polish citizenship.

 To exercise hunting rights in Poland, must have the following documents:
- Legitimacy of membership the Polish Hunters' Association (issued annually on payment of subscription)
- Permits for hunting weapons issued by the police (once for all)
- Permits for hunting indicating species, bag limit and territory (valid for one month)
Hunters from abroad:
- A hunting permit (voucher) issued by an authorised tourist agency.

Total surface area       312.685 km2
Woodlands                    87.204 km2 (28%)
Farming area               186,417 km2 (60%)
Hunt able area                   91,5% of the total surface area
 

Population                38.544.513
Number of Hunters       113.178 (2012)
% Hunters                         0,293%
Hunters / Inhabitants       1 / 341
Population density inhabitants/km2   123

     The Polish Hunters' Association has a Gundog Commission, which organizes dog trials, in association with its provincial sections. It has a dog training centre, and works alongside the Polish Kennel Club (FCI Member).

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