In consultation with moose management and management areas, the county administrative board set a shooting target of 1,841 moose for Östergötland. But with only a couple of weeks left in the hunting season, only about 1,000 moose have been killed, according to incoming reports to the Swedish Hunters’ Association.
– The early summer drought in 2021 meant that many cows were in poor condition and the calves were few and small. In addition, for a number of years we have had a strong demand from forest and land owners to bring down the moose population, in order to minimize grazing damage. So there are several explanations, says Sofia Stenbakken.
The moose population continues to decline sharply
Across the country, close to 83,000 moose were shot for 2020 and 10,000 fewer moose for 2021. For this year’s season, the numbers are still preliminary but the trend is the same. The forecast of around 60,000 moose is the lowest level in many years and you have to go back as far as the 70s to see similar statistics.
– There is no quick fix. It takes a long time to rebuild a strong moose population and there are many interests involved. But when we see fewer and fewer animals in the forest, the hunters take responsibility for management and pull the handbrake. It’s enough now – it’s time to stop here, says Sofia Stenbakken from the Hunters’ Association Östergötland.
The moose hunt runs until January 31.
Sofia Stenbakken tells more about the failing moose tribe in the clip above.