Roe Deer Hunting Dates 2025 France: Official Seasons

Planning a roe deer hunt in France for 2025? You’re already sensing the catch: every department sets its own opening and closing dates by prefectural decree. One department opens in August; its neighbor waits until mid-September. Miss the window by even one day, and you risk a fine. This guide cuts through the complexity with official dates, zone rules, and permit basics so you can plan without guessing.

Roe Deer Opening (Oise): 1 June 2025 · Roe Deer Closing (Oise): 28 February 2026 · Quebec Deer Zones: Multiple zones with arc/arbalète periods · France Departmental Dates: Vary by prefectural orders · Key Species Covered: Chevreuil, cerf, orignal

What is the hunting season in France 2025?

France operates no single national hunting calendar. Each of the 96 mainland departments—and five overseas departments—issues its own prefectural arrêté annually to fix opening and closing dates. These orders follow recommendations from the local CDCFS (Commission Départementale de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage), chaired by the prefecture. The result is a patchwork: one department may open in August; its neighbor waits until mid-September.

The national closing framework lands on 28 February 2026 for most species, according to Connexion France (season guide publisher). Derogations can extend wild boar seasons beyond that date due to population control needs, but general small game closes by end of February.

Departmental variations

The pattern for 2025 openings clusters around two peaks. Departments in the northeast—Moselle (57), Bas-Rhin (67), Haut-Rhin (68)—have the earliest mainland dates at 23 August 2025, according to Connexion France. Central and northern departments generally open around 14 or 21 September 2025.

Ain (01) opens 14 September 2025 at 08:00. Aisne (02) opens 21 September 2025. Ariège (09) splits its territory: lowland opens 7 September 2025, mountain zones wait until 14 September 2025. Charente-Maritime (17) defaults to 14 September except Île d’Aix, which delays to 21 September.

Paris (75) stands apart: there is no hunting season in the capital. Guadeloupe (971) opened 25 July 2025; Martinique (972) opened 27 July 2025. La Réunion (974) varies by species, with some small feathered game starting 1 June.

Species-specific periods

Big game like roe deer (chevreuil) often follows its own timeline separate from small game. Roe deer hunting typically runs from 1 September to 31 January, peaking between 25 October and 15 November, according to BCTMO Conservation Club (conservation-focused hunting club). In some managed private areas, stalking seasons extend further—but those are private land agreements, not public regulation.

Driven hunting in the Ardennes ran from 1 October 2024 to 28 February 2025 for the prior season, according to Parc Naturel Régional des Ardennes (regional nature park authority). These dates shift annually, so verify each season independently.

What are the hunting dates 2025 for roe deer?

The Oise department federation (fdc60) sets chevreuil opening 1 June 2025 and closing 28 February 2026—among the longest roe deer windows available. Before the general mainland opening, hunting is restricted to specific methods: ball (rifle) or arc (bow) only. Arc hunters need additional certification beyond the standard permis de chasse.

Opening dates by region

Departmental roe deer seasons mirror general opening patterns but with species-specific adjustments. The national framework is set, but local CDCFS recommendations drive final dates, according to Connexion France (season guide publisher). In practice, this means:

• Northeast (Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin): 23 August 2025 general; roe deer follows
• Southwest mountains (Ariège, Aude, Corse): 7–14 September with altitude splits
• Central and north (Ain, Nord, Picardie): 14–21 September
• Overseas (Guadeloupe, Martinique): July openings for applicable species

Roe deer peak activity spans 25 October through 15 November, per BCTMO Conservation Club (conservation hunting organization). Hunts during this window offer the highest observation rates, but pressure is also highest.

Pre-opening rules

Before the general mainland opening, some departments authorize early roe deer hunting under restricted methods. The permis de chasse alone does not authorize all weapon types. Bow hunters must complete additional formation under the European Bowhunting Federation framework for France, per European Bowhunting Federation (bowhunting standards body).

Certain methods remain prohibited year-round across all departments: poisoning, shooting from vehicles, and use of artificial light. Violations carry fines and license suspension, per Connexion France.

How to get a hunting permit?

The permis de chasse is mandatory for all hunting in France, regardless of weapon type or game species. It is issued through the Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs network and requires passing a hunters’ exam or holding an equivalent foreign certification recognized by the French system.

Requirements

To obtain a French hunting permit, you need:

• Valid identity document
• Completion of the examen permis de chasse (hunter’s examination) or recognized equivalent
• Third-party liability insurance (often included in federation membership)
• For bow hunting: additional bow certification per EBF standards
• Annual fee payment to your departmental federation

The European Bowhunting Federation notes that bow certification in France requires separate training beyond the standard rifle hunting exam, per European Bowhunting Federation (bowhunting standards body).

Application process

Submit your application through the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs in your department of residence or intended hunting location. Processing typically takes several weeks, and permits must be renewed annually. First-time applicants should allow extra time for exam scheduling.

For the most current permit requirements and application links, consult Service Public (official government service portal), which hosts the authoritative hunting rights summary for individuals.

What are the hunting rules in zone 2?

Zone 2 refers to Quebec’s wildlife management zone structure. In Zone 2, deer (cerf) hunting with arc and arbalète runs 3–16 October, per Connexion France (compiled from provincial regulations). This window applies to bow and crossbow specifically.

Zone 2 specifics

Quebec divides its territory into wildlife zones, each with species-specific bag limits and method restrictions. Zone 2 sits in a region where deer populations support a specific arc/arbalète period in October, followed by rifle seasons later in the fall. Hunters must hold a valid Quebec hunting license for Zone 2 and adhere to daily and seasonal bag limits that reset annually.

Deer periods

Quebec’s deer seasons span multiple periods across zones. Arc and arbalète seasons generally open before rifle seasons to distribute hunter pressure. Check current Quebec wildlife regulations for the full calendar, as zones change designations based on population surveys.

For orignal (moose) hunting in applicable zones, dates differ significantly from white-tailed deer. Always verify species-specific rules at Quebec.ca (provincial wildlife authority) before planning cross-province trips.

What are the hunting rules in zone 10 and 13?

France does not use a “zone 10” or “zone 13” system for mainland hunting—those designations belong to Quebec and a handful of other provinces. French hunting is organized by department (département), not by numeric wildlife zones. Hunters planning trips to Quebec should note that zone 10 and zone 13 have their own deer seasons, distinct from Zone 2’s arc/arbalète window. For those planning trips to Quebec, you can find the official deer hunting dates for 2025 at Météo agricole Dijon.

Zone differences

Quebec’s zones reflect ecological and population management regions. Zone 10 and Zone 13 sit in different ecological zones than Zone 2, with varying deer density, habitat quality, and population targets. Bag limits and season lengths reflect these differences.

2025 dates

Zone-specific dates for Quebec deer hunting in 2025 are published by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts. Hunters should consult the official Quebec hunting calendar directly, as zone boundaries and dates undergo periodic review.

The Service Public (official government service portal) offers an interactive search tool for French departmental dates, but it does not cover Quebec zone rules.

Timeline of key 2025 roe deer hunting dates

Three to four distinct periods shape the 2025 roe deer season across French territories.

The national closing date of 28 February 2026 applies to most species, but roe deer typically closes earlier—around 31 January in many departments, per BCTMO Conservation Club (conservation hunting organization). Wild boar seasons can extend beyond February due to population control derogations, according to Connexion France.

The implication: plan your roe deer stalk for October or November if possible, and lock in your permit before the pre-opening window closes.

What experts say about the 2025 season

The precise opening and closing dates vary between departments and species. Dates are fixed by prefectural decree following recommendations from the departmental commission on hunting and wildlife (CDCFS), which is chaired by the prefect.

— Connexion France (season guide publisher)

Hunting without regard to these rules is punishable by fines and suspension of licences.

— Connexion France (season guide publisher)

Each department sets its own seasons annually via prefectural orders, which means there is no shortcut around checking your specific federation calendar, per The Stalking Directory (hunting community forum).

Summary

France’s 2025 roe deer hunting season runs from June through approximately January 2026, but the exact window shifts by department. Moselle and neighboring departments in the northeast open earliest on 23 August 2025; central and northern departments cluster around mid-September. The national framework closes 28 February 2026, though roe deer in many departments ends by 31 January. Violations carry fines and license suspension. For French hunters: confirm your department’s arrêté through the local federation or Service Public before each hunt. For Quebec hunters: zone rules operate on a separate system with 2025 dates published by the provincial wildlife ministry. Permis de chasse is mandatory across France; bow hunters need additional certification.

Related reading: French hunting season 2025-2026 dates by department and species · Official tool to view hunting dates by department on Service Public

Roe deer hunting in France follows a decentralized calendar for 2025-2026, where French department opening dates vary significantly by local ecological conditions and methods.

Frequently asked questions