Too many moose

Photo: Margus Ansu

Up to now, the quotas for game hunting in counties were determined by the state. Now, pursuant to the new Hunting Act, the state will limit that to large carnivores only.

«This year, the difference is that the quota will be determined by county hunting councils, our game monitoring department only issuing quota recommendations,» said Rauno Veeroja, senior game monitoring specialist at Estonian Environment Information Centre (EEIC).

With elks, for instance, the EEIC report holds four versions, preferring the hunting of up to 6,000 or 6,500 elks. An option also exists to shoot 7,000 or 7,500 animals – not recommended, however, by game monitors. These numbers a huge, as compared to former years: in 2010, 4,255 were hunted, 4,730 a year later.

«Last year’s hunting capacity was 5126, that being the largest amount of elks shot during a season, since 1992-1993,» said Mr Veeroja, adding that elk hunting continues to be popular among hunters. «This is the main hunting game.»

The specialist went on to explain that hunters are not interested in excessive hunting, as they desire the elk population to be sustainable.

Density advised

The EEIC monitoring report states that the elk population has exceeded the level tolerable for forest management. Estimated by hunters, they amounted to 13,260, in 2013.

«For close to 15 years we have an agreed elk density limit, at about five animals for 1,000 hectares of areas suitable for elks,» said Mr Veeroja. «As counted by the hunters, the population density has exceeded that for the past two years, at least.»

At the game monitoring department’s estimation, it is prudent to keep elk populations within 3.5 to 5 animals per 1,000 hectares. In that range, damage to forest will not be too severe, the populations remaining strong and healthy.

According to Mr Veeroja, the Environmental Board intends to summon hunting councils in the second half of July. Then, it should become evident which quota will be in use this season.

«With wild swine, we presented our vision of the minimal volume that ought to be hunted, to avoid worse damage,» he added. 23,650 swine should be shot.

Volumes set by state

When it comes to roe deer, however, no quota is offered by game monitoring department. The severe winters, a couple of years ago, wreaked havoc in the deer population. Still, as pointed out by Mr Veeroja, there are some counties where the deer have started to substantially increase: especially in South-East Estonia, Tartu County and Jõgeva County.

«However, some counties have fared worse – like Rapla County and Pärnu County,» he underlined. «Our advice was to increase the quota in the counties with increased populations, but in almost a half of Estonia the levels should be kept at last year’s amounts.»

Amounts of large carnivores are not determined by hunting councils. They can present propositions, the state determining the quotas.

«With all large carnivores the quotas will be significantly less than last year,» said Mr Veeroja.

He specified that the numbers of bears have dropped due to past years’ hunting quotas. With lynxes, the decrease has been considerable – not only because of hunting, but also the scarcity of deer.

«By now we are seeing the deer numbers going up, but we cannot be sure if lynx has reached the bottom, as there usually is a lag here of a couple of years,» said Mr Veeroja.

Wolf populations have also dropped. The main reason being hunting, as wolves have a larger variety of prey. In the past years, scab played a major role, but this problem is in decline.

«Some known litters have disappeared,» added Mr Veeroja. «Poaching cannot be excluded, but we have no sure facts.»

Elk hunting

•    2010/2011 – 4,255 elks hunted

•    2011/2012 – 4,730 elks hunted

•    2012/2013 – 5,216 elks hunted

•    In 2013/2014, Estonian Environment Information Centre (EEIC) advises 6,000-6,500 elks to be hunted. The hunters estimate amount of elks at 13,260.

Source: Environment Information Centre