Finland has reopened its bear hunting season after a two-year hiatus, allowing the culling of bears in certain regions of the country. The season began on Thursday, August 20, and is set to run until October 31.
In June, the Supreme Administrative Court made a pivotal ruling that authorizes the culling of up to 182 bears, allocated according to specified regional quotas. This decision comes after a period of suspension that affected bear hunting outside of reindeer herding areas. The temporary ban was initiated due to legal challenges questioning the validity of culling permits. Ultimately, the court dismissed these appeals, citing the necessity of bear hunting to protect property and ensure public safety.
The permits are primarily concentrated in eastern and central Finland. North Karelia received the largest share, with 118 permits issued, followed by Southeast Finland with 24, South Savo with 14, and smaller allotments in Kainuu, Central Finland, and North Savo.
Advocates for the hunt, including various hunting groups, have expressed their support for the ruling. With the bear population now estimated at around 2,400 individuals—according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)—and increasing encounters reported between bears and humans, especially near residential areas, there appears to be a pressing need for population management.
Sauli Härkönen, the head of public administrative tasks at the Finnish Wildlife Agency, has encouraged hunters to focus on bears known to have caused issues. He emphasized that with the season open until late October, there is no requirement to rush to fulfill quotas.
Conversely, conservation groups have voiced strong opposition to the court’s decision, arguing that it contravenes European Union directives aimed at protecting native species. These differing perspectives highlight the ongoing debate over wildlife management and the balance between conservation efforts and community safety.