National Hunting Ban Day (Zenkoku Shuryō Kinshi)

February 15th: The End of Hunting Season (National Hunting Ban)

Every year on February 15th, the legal "hunting season" ends across most of Japan, and from the following day, hunting is generally prohibited. Under the enforcement regulations of Japan's Act on the Protection and Control of Wildlife and Hunting Management, the hunting season normally runs "from November 15th to February 15th of the following year." In Hokkaido the season runs from October 1 to January 31; everywhere else, hunting is not allowed from February 16 until the season opens again on November 15.

A Legal Measure to Protect the Wildlife "Breeding Season"

Why is hunting limited to winter? According to the Ministry of the Environment, the legal hunting period (October 15 to April 15) is set mainly for safety, taking into account farming and forestry work and the leafless season when visibility in the mountains is good. It is then shortened by ordinance to November 15 to February 15 to protect wildlife, considering the breeding and migration seasons of birds. Spring is when many animals pair up and begin preparing to give birth and raise their young. Continuing to hunt during this period would have a major impact on animal populations, so the law strictly limits the hunting season. February 15th represents a day of "restraint" — a reminder that humans should respect nature's cycles and avoid disrupting the reproduction of life.

Exceptions: "Season Extensions" and "Pest Control Culling"

Closing and opening dates can differ by prefecture, by year, and by species, so the season does not end uniformly on February 15th everywhere and for every animal. In recent years, damage to agriculture and forestry caused by sika deer and wild boar has become so severe that some prefectures extend the season for deer and wild boar only, until around mid-March. In addition, "pest control capture" and "permitted capture" carried out under government authorization can occur even outside the regular hunting season — these are legally distinct from general "hunting."

The Day Hunting Culture "Wraps Up" for the Season

For hunters, February 15th is the day to close out the season — known as "ryō-osame," the last hunt of the season. Hunters carefully clean and maintain their guns and gear, give thanks for a safe season, and pay their respects to the mountains and the game they pursued. Hunting in Japan isn't just a sport or a means of obtaining food — it also plays a "management" role in maintaining the country's rich rural landscapes (satoyama). This day offers an opportunity to reflect on the balance between humans and wildlife.

The Changing Season for "Gibier" (Wild Game Meat)

After February 15th, the supply of gibier — meat from wild game — shifts from general hunting to meat obtained through population-management culling. Winter game is often said to be especially tasty because the animals carry more fat. It's also a day to reflect on how the lives we consume for food are protected within a framework of strict rules and the laws of nature.

How Hunting Regulation and Wildlife Conservation Work

• Legal hunting season: Generally November 15th to February 15th (with regional variations, such as Hokkaido starting October 1st).
• Hunting license: There are four types (net, trap, first-class gun for powder firearms, and second-class gun for air guns); hunters must pass an exam held by the prefectural governor and register with the prefecture where they hunt.
• Target species: Out of about 700 wild bird and mammal species in Japan, 46 are legally designated as game, including mallards, pheasants, wild boar, and deer.
• Safety management: Strict enforcement of safety rules and accidental-shooting prevention right up to the final day, February 15th.
• Ecosystem management: Adjusting capture numbers helps prevent both overpopulation and extinction of specific species.

A Day to Listen to the Heartbeat of Nature

February 15th is the day the mountains fall quiet, and animals begin preparing to welcome spring in peace. As gunfire ceases and new growth stirs beneath the soil, we're reminded of how deeply we depend on the embrace of nature. The hunting ban period is also a period of "tolerance" — a time when humans step back and quietly watch as life renews itself.

Tips for Reflecting on This Day

• Take a walk through a nearby satoyama or nature park and notice the "mountain stillness" that follows the end of hunting season.
• Visit a restaurant that serves gibier and reflect on the importance of taking life responsibly and managing wildlife populations.
• Read materials from Japan's Ministry of the Environment about the challenges facing Japanese wildlife, such as agricultural damage and ecosystem balance.
• Think of one small action you can take to help protect your local forests and natural environment.

Carrying the Cycle of Life Forward Into Spring

February 15th is a kind of "promise day" between humans and nature. Respecting the designated season and engaging with nature within the bounds of the rules — this sincere attitude is what protects the rich mountains of the future. From this day forward, the natural world begins to stir with the vitality of spring. Let us take pride in being part of that great cycle, and welcome the new season with care and appreciation.