The right to own reindeer according to the reindeer husbandry act includes the right to graze reindeer in the mountains and other sites, including former cultivated fields and hay meadows outside and which are not linked to inhabited areas or facilities in operation, unless they are kept in the claim and not used as pasture, unless the area is fenced to keep out reindeer. Grazing rights include the right to seasonal grazing as necessary, such as spring, summer, autumn and winter grazing and also migratory routes, calving areas and rutting areas. Outside the Sámi reindeer herding area, reindeer husbandry may not be conducted without the King’s special permission. Such permission can be granted only to a person who by written sources can prove that they are associated with the current landowners and rights holders, or can access large enough areas with good reindeer pastures. A permit may not be granted within the wild reindeer area, nor so close to the Sámi reindeer herding area that it might cause conflict. The permit can be given for a certain period and the management can be subject to certain conditions.

The seasonal land use is divided into five seasons, which in turn are divided into two categories according to function and grazing intensity. Late autumn/early winter pastures are areas used by reindeer in the late autumn/early winter. Late autumn/early winter pastures are again divided into two categories: Late autumn/early winter pasture 1 – Intensively used areas which are often packed with snow, which renders them inaccessible for reindeer throughout the winter. Late autumn/early winter pasture 2 – Scattered areas used for the same period as late autumn/early winter pastures. The use of pastureland will vary from year to year within the same area. The classification system is applicable to reindeer husbandry all over the country. The annual variations in factors such as weather and pasture conditions means that the delimitation of the seasons has to be somewhat broad and approximate.