Hunting/Fishing Near Grafenwoehr Base in Germany

Miss MN's brother is going to go to Germany to be with his Army wife at Grafenwoehr Army Base. He loves to hunt and fish, and he mentioned the climate is about the same it is here, and he could still go ice fishing. My question is, what does it take for a U.S. civilian to fish or hunt over there, and where could he go? What would he do for licenses and such? I want to put some info together for him because he"s helped Miss MN and I out alot and he helped me get my first deer. Any information I can pass along would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

License Requirements. German Nationals and expatriates living and working in Germany (NATO/US Military Excluded) must complete months of instruction on fish habitat and biology, fishing regulations, and general knowledge before they can be tested and become licensed fishermen. Yes, I do mean tested. Anything and everything from the types of scales, number of eggs, and habitat of the different species to the required test of line required to catch them can be asked.

Ah, don’t get discouraged, there is good news. U.S. tourist and business travelers can fish in Germany using a temporary license and without the test. An "Auslander" (that’s a foreigner) can purchase a temporary fishing license in Bavaria that is good for three months. It costs 45 EUROs (about $25 depending on the exchange rate). Other states in Germany have similar systems in place to allow foreigners to fish. Just remember, once you have the fishing license you still have to pay for the right to fish, and all fish in season and of legal size must be killed immediately if they are going to be kept. It is also considered cruel to use stringers and other similar devices.

U.S. military personnel stationed in Germany (states of Hessen, Baden-Wurttemburg, and Bavaria) must complete a 2 week (30 hour) course that covers much of the same information the Germans learn. Our U.S. military members must also take and pass a 100 or so question test before they can purchase a German fishing license at the local city hall (Rathaus). The regular license costs approximately 50 EUROs per year depending on where you purchase it

Thanks Freddy! That kinda stuff is just what I need.

I was in Germany with US 3rd Amoured from 1982-1985. It is not nearly as cold an MN. No ice fishing. Unless things have changed a lot he will not be doing much hunting unless he has a real fat wallet for fees, is willing to sit through months of classes in German and take several tests that include marksmanship and being given a pig to buthcher. The good part is the Germans are the most ethical hunters and safest gun handelers I have met.

How long will he be here and when will he be coming? The fishing license class/test is sometimes offered at the Rod & Gun Clubs in English but not on a regular basis. Graf is going through a bunch of changes now as is the rest of US Army Europe and sometimes funding for that stuff isn't there or not enough folks sign up. The hunting class is also offered in English SOMETIMES (I've been here 19 years and know of about 5 times). Best way to hunt is with a camera (only costs you the price of the camera). Have him contact me, I live about an hour and a half away and have a few friends working in Graf that may be able to show him around. Graf is also real close to the Czech border where stuff is a little more relaxed. Army Outdoor Recretion Service also sponsors fishing trips to the North Sea area (Norway, etc) that don't cost much. This is not hunting and fishing the way you folks know it, but , like Scott said, the only time you hear about someone getting shot while hunting is because it was intentional.
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Dave

There are fishing clubs that own a piece of water on streams and rivers and you can only fish that section. When I was stationed at Augsburg a long time ago the Rod and Gun Club had a recreational spot that was an old gravel pit stocked with fish. I did get to know a local and i fished with him on his clubs water. This was in exchange for a Montana Mule deer hunt I promised him but he never made it to the states.

I did take the hunting course and did get my 'Jagerbreif" but never got to use it because of the high cost of guded hunts. I do know of several officers who bagged some wild boar, chamonix and the german version of a wild turkey.

Some (most) of the lakes that were for American use have been closed to fishing unless to licensed fishermen/women. Mostly because of the Bubba factor. Beer cans and trash everywere fishing line and other junk scattered around, fish on stringers jammed up against each other, etc., etc.
There are some places you can go and fish on a day permit and pay a bunch of money so you can catch a fish that you have to then pay for by weight. There is a bunch of stuff to do around Graf to keep a person busy every free minute.

Things here are a lot different than they were 20 (even 10) years ago and there is no "sorry, I didn't know". There's also a whole lot more stuff available for Soldiers and spouses than there was back then also.

Have him contact me and I'll get him some info and try to hook him up with a couple of contacts before he gets here and get's the Sh!thouse Lawyer and barroom briefs.
He'll probably want a job also if he is coming to stay, I can help him get a resume in the system and have a shot at something other than a PX Flunky.


Dave

Fished in 69 while station in Germany. Lots of paper work. At that time mepp spinner baits only on that trout stream. Browns and Rainbows.
Things change.

Anybody even allowed to own a gun over there ?

I thought most countries banned private gun ownership ?

(quoted from post at 08:44:14 01/08/09) Anybody even allowed to own a gun over there ?

I thought most countries banned private gun ownership ?

Click to expand...

If you have a huting license, you can have a gun. Switzerland has (almost) mandatory gun ownership.

You cn have air guns.

Dave

And that is exactly why Hitler didn't invade them.

45 Euros is a little over $60.00 US at current exchange rates.