Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
NATURE / TT This winter’s licensed hunting of wolves includes 46 animals, and the counties involved have now made a joint posting of a plan. The DNR is reflecting on possible appeals.
It is the State Provincial Offices in what is called the middle predator management area that has now presented their joint plan for the winter season license hunting wolves, which begins in January.
In total, 46 animals are to be shot and the largest quota, by hunters in Värmland – 20 wolves in the hunting grounds in the county, plus 6 in a territory which is common with Örebro County. Other counties included are Dalarna, Gävleborg and Västmanland.
“We are positive that when the decision is taken, the geographical spread is good, but we wish there was a higher number,” says Torbjörn Lövbom, chairman of the Swedish Hunters Association’s predator advisory committee, to TT.
“Too big”
Quota decisions, according to the county administrative boards taken so that the wolf population should not be negatively affected.
But the SNCC disagrees, believing that too many animals are to be shot, and is considering appealing to the Environmental Protection Agency,” says Oscar Alaric, lawyer for the Society for Nature Conservation. He also recalls that the EU Commission criticized Sweden for licensed hunting of wolves contrary to EU directives – which the county administrative boards should have taken into account, according to Alaric.
“Necessary evil”
Sweden has responded to criticism, and both the WWF and SSNC believe that it will all end up in the European Court of Justice.
“This looks pretty bad for the government too. Now, the risk seems pretty large for European Commission goes ahead and takes Sweden to the European Court of Justice, says Oscar Alaric.
Snow and trail access is crucial for implementation, explains Bo Shield, Secretary General of the Swedish Hunters Association.
“If you have to be crass, this is not a positive form of hunting, rather a necessary evil in order to safeguard other wildlife populations and livestock,” he said.
FACTS: HERE IS WHERE THE WOLF IS TO BE HUNTED
Varmland: 20 wolves in Vimyren, Brattfors and Sandsjön.
Orebro / Värmland: 6 wolves in the common territory Loka.
Dalarna: 8 wolves in Lövsjöreviret.
Gavleborg: 6 wolves in the territory Åmot / Ockelbo.
Västmanland: 6 wolves in Färnareviret.
The hunt begins Saturday 2 January and will continue until as late as February 15th.
Source: Each county administrative board affected