[ad_1]
The moose hunt is on. And even if the corona pandemic hits, it is largely an unchanged search that is happening. – Once you get out with a pass, you’re as socially estranged as you can get, says Björn Sundgren, a hunting care adviser at the Swedish Hunters Association.
Moose hunting is underway in the north of the country.
Monday marked the start of moose hunting in the northern part of the country. In the south, it takes a little over a month before the hunt begins. Hunters across the country, however, have a new reality to adapt to.
– It is clear that it affects, but we will see a little how much, says Björn Sundgren in reference to the global pandemic.
He says it’s largely about following current recommendations, rather than everyone going into the woods and fields needing to think about specific hunting circumstances.
– We had contact with the Swedish Public Health Agency earlier this summer to find out if there was specific advice, that’s when they got the recommendation to drive two hours. Perhaps it is in the pre-hunt gatherings, for the most part in another way, that many of those who normally gather in the village huts are able to meet outdoors.
Sundgren notes that various stages of the hunt – both the shared transportation to and from the passport and the killing process – are things that are affected by the pandemic, but that it is primarily about following current recommendations.
During the 2018/2019 hunting year, just over 80,000 moose were shot, a decrease from the previous season when the number approached 85,000 animals. In total in the country, the moose population is between 300,000 and 400,000 animals.
Sundgren says there is “a risk that those who are half-risky” will go hunting anyway.
– There is a greater risk of being half uncomfortable hunting than half uncomfortable at work. But our advice is like that of the Public Health Agency that if you feel bad you should stay home. In any case, you shouldn’t mix with people, he says.
Those on the anxious side don’t have to feel foolish in the face of precautionary measures either, according to Sundgren.
– The public health authority gives recommendations, there are no laws. Therefore, it is not forbidden to be more careful, even if there are no legal requirements for mouth guards, for example. But if you feel more comfortable having it in the slaughterhouse, for example, you can make that decision within the hunting team or in private, you don’t have to wait for Anders Tegnell to do it.
Hunting times
I raised:
In northern Sweden, moose hunting begins on the first Monday in September, in the rest of the country on the second Monday in October.
The moose hunt may last until last February, but the county administrative board may decide on a shorter time. Local deviations can occur.
Deer:
Deer hunting season is from October 1 to January 31. Deviations occur for different regions and also for horned animals.
Fallow deer:
The general hunting season for fallow deer is from October 1 to the end of February, with a break for the heat from October 20 to November 16. Horned males can be hunted from September 1 to September 30. Local deviations can occur.
Wild pig:
Hunting season is from April 16 to February 15. Sows with calves are always protected and must not be hunted.
For young wild boar, it is hunting season all year round. Hunting of wild boar with a dog is only allowed during the period from August 1 to January 31. Here there are also local deviations.
Source: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Swedish Hunters Association
The moose population in Sweden
There are between 300,000 and 400,000 moose in Sweden. Moose are found in all counties except Gotland. During the 2018/2019 hunting year, the number of moose killed was 83,076. There are 1,700 fewer moose than in the 2016/2017 hunting year when the number was 84,785, according to statistics from älgdata.se. The number of moose killed reached its highest point in the mid-1980s. In 1982/83, the number of moose killed was 174,700.
Only half of the moose cubs survive to one year of age, the mortality of the cubs is higher in the regions where there are bears. The moose is not a herd animal, but a moose cow with calves or a bull and a cow in company can often be seen before mating.
Sources: Jägareförbundet and Jordbruksverket
