Govt sets bear hunting quota at 313 for 2019-20

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has set the quota for bear hunting for the season 2019-2020 at 313 bears, said a press release of the ministry Friday.

The current quota (313) is 42 bears less than the previous hunting quota (355). In the hunting season 2017–2018, the quota was set at 255 bears.

The growth of the bear population has fallen as planned and the aim of the hunting season is to stabilize the stock.

Last year's higher hunting quota of 335 bears aim was to stabilize the growth of the bear population, reduce high-density bear population and prevent long-lasting damage to the reindeer.

According to this year's estimation made by the Natural Resources Institute Finland(Luke), the continuous growth of the bear population which began in 2012 has now come to a halt.

The bear population in the country was estimated in May taking into account cubs born in spring to be 2 020–2130 individuals.

Last year, the corresponding figure was 2,130–2,260, which means that the population has decreased by about 5% from the last count.