Cervid damage

In the Game Animal Damages Act, a cervid means a fallow deer, red deer, sika deer, moose, white-tailed deer and forest reindeer. Damages caused by these cervid species are compensated for under the Game Animal Damages Act. Damages caused by roe deer are not compensated for.

Cervid damages include damage to crops, animals and forest. Damage caused by cervids to agriculture and forestry are compensated for from State funds within the limits of the State budget, in accordance with the Game Animal Damages Act.

The budget funds used for compensations are collected from the cervid hunting licence fees paid by hunters.

General information about cervid damage compensation

Damages to agriculture and forests caused by cervid animals may be compensated for when the damage is caused to a private farmer or private landowner, an estate of a deceased private farmer or private landowner or a corporation comprised of parties to an estate of a deceased private farmer or private landowner, a partnership of a jointly owned forest and companies set up by private farmers or private landowners whose main purpose is to practice farming.

Any assessment costs paid by the beneficiary are included in the damage to be compensated for. Assessment costs are not compensated for if the request for an assessment has clearly been unfounded.