I believe most of Western Europe is the same way in regards to hunting pretty much anything. Its a sport of the connected and most likely the rich. I was stationed in Germany in the late 1990's and as a DOD civilian I could purchase guns from the local Rod and Gun club, or on the German economy with almost zero problem. Finding a place to hunt was a different animal indeed. Lots of rules and even more regulations, but once again the problem was access to places to hunt. Much more trouble then it was worth in Western Europe for sure.

foxes rule