Martens may not be hunted during the closed season. But why is it like that? What does closed season mean? And from when until when is the hunting ban in effect? Below you will find out everything about the closed season for martens, especially stone martens.
When is the closed season for martens in Germany?
The closed season for stone martens in Germany begins on March 1st and ends between August 1st and 16th, depending on the federal state. October. During this time, hunting of animals is prohibited to protect the offspring. Hunting pine martens is prohibited all year round in some federal states.
Why is there a closed season?
Martenbabies are completely dependent on their mother for several months. They are completely blind for the first five weeks of their lives. Only after three months do the young animals begin to look for their own food - their mother teaches them this too. If the mother is hunted and killed at this time, the young will starve.
When is closed season?
Female martens go looking for a partner in the summer. After fertilization, the fertilized germ cell remains dormant until February. The female marten only gives birth to three to four young in March/April. Therefore, the closed season for stone martens and often also for pine martens begins on March 1st in all federal states. However, the duration of the closed season varies from state to state. While in Rhineland-Palatinate you can hunt stone martens again from August 1st and in Brandenburg from September 1st, in most other federal states this is only allowed again from October 16th.
Tip
Pine martens are closed all year round in Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Pen alties for hunting martens during closed season
If a marten is hunted or even killed during the closed season, the perpetrator can expect severe pen alties if discovered: If a parent animal is hunted during the closed season, a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to €5,000 can be imposed.
Hunting martens during hunting season
Even during the hunting season, martens can only be hunted in most federal states if the hunter has a hunting license. If this is not the case, fines of up to €5,000 can also be imposed.
Tip
But that doesn't mean you have to live with the presence of a marten in your house. Martens can be easily repelled with scents or home remedies. You can also catch martens outside the closed season using live traps.
