https://bnn-news.com/bear-hunt...r-territories-203945



Bear hunt starts in Estonia as hunters warn of expanding bear territories


August 5, 2019


Baltic news, News from Latvia, BNN.LV, BNN-NEWS.COM, BNN-NEWS.RU

Bear hunting has commenced in Estonia. A practice, which would seem surprising to many European countries with small bear populations, is, however, seen as necessary by hunters in the Baltic country.

Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that bear hunt in Estonia begun on August 1.

Hunter Peeter Hussar explained to ERR’s Vikerraadio on Monday, August 5, that because the number of bears in Estonia has recently increased, young animals quickly run out of territory and are forced closer to human settlements.

According to the hunter, the status of bears is different from other animals, as the European Union recognizes them as threatened species, while in Estonia bears are hunted to keep their number under control and prevent damage.

Hussar pointed out to Vikerraadio that the continued hunt for bear will also make sure that they keep fearing humans in Estonia.

«The increasing number means that grown animals occupy the available territory, and there is no room left for young animals. And the boldest among them will move closer to human settlements, which is why bears are seen a lot more as well,»
the hunter believes.

Licenses to hunt 69 bears have been issued for this year’s season, which started last week. This is an increase by eight from the previous year, but considerably less than the hunters’ associations asked for, which was 126.

quote:

According to the hunter, the status of bears is different from other animals, as the European Union recognizes them as threatened species, while in Estonia bears are hunted to keep their number under control and prevent damage.

Its not a problem to hunt animals on the EU endangered list in Sweden and several other countries are they hunted.
Moose are put on the Swedish endangered list this year because of a controlled (by hunting to get less forest damage) negative trend, still 70-80000 mooses are expected to be shot this autumn.