Explanation
Hunting seasons in Spain: how to check the applicable rules
Permitted species, dates and conditions depend on the autonomous community and the land. To verify a season, consult the current official order and also check its amendments, restrictions and exceptions.
Do not confuse a general reference with the current rule
In Spain, checking whether hunting is permitted requires identifying the rule applicable to the specific territory and season. The Community of Madrid, for example, publishes a hunting-season order each season that sets out the species that may be hunted, their open seasons and limitations within that community. The Madrid page also describes specific rules for small-game and big-game hunting methods.
Check the territory, species, land and method
Before relying on dates, verify that the provision applies to the place where hunting is intended and to the season in question. Then check the species, type of land and method: the rules may set different conditions for each case. In Madrid, the official information separates the rules by species, land and seasons, and indicates that hunting grounds can be consulted using its environmental map viewer.
Check restrictions and exceptions, not just the calendar
The date alone does not determine whether an activity is permitted. Regulations may include quotas, authorized days, permits or specific conditions. In Castile and León, Law 4/2021 provides that hunting must take place during the open periods and days listed in Annex II, but allows restrictions through management plans and moratoria or temporary reductions in certain circumstances. It also provides that some hunting-ground and regional reserve plans may set different periods if technical justification is provided.
Check whether there have been later changes
The hunting-season order for a given season may not be the final word: look for official notices, resolutions or subsequent changes affecting the species, place or method. The Madrid page, for example, reports a precautionary suspension concerning nine bird species for certain periods of the 2026–2027 season, and states that the measure will remain in force until a judgment is issued or the suspension is lifted. This information is dated on the page consulted; it should not be extrapolated to other seasons or territories without an up-to-date check.
A historical record cannot establish current dates
The Environmental Library catalogue identifies a Madrid order dated 22 July 1985 concerning the 1985–86 season. It is a historical reference, not a source for deducing current open seasons. For a current decision, use the official provision applicable to the relevant season and territory.
Sources
- Details for: Orden de 22 de julio de 1985, por la que se fijan los ... · biblioteca.miteco.gob.es
- Especies y normas de caza · Comunidad de Madrid
- Ley 4/2021, de 1 de julio, de Caza y de Gestión Sostenible de los Recursos Cinegéticos de Castilla y León · BOE