– We must try to get out of the vicious circle, says Pål Sindre Svae. He is a wildlife manager in Indre Østfold municipality. In the forest in the municipality, hunters with orange caps should have already been at work, but for now the elk can wander safely. In Østfold and Søndre Akershus, there is an agreement to postpone moose hunting this year. The hunters have also agreed not to shoot the large animals. The background is a moose population that is lower than in many years. – But what worries me most is that we have had a strong reduction in slaughter weights over the past ten years, and also little reproduction. All the arrows point in the wrong direction for the moose, says Svae. The moose is a climate loser Statistics from Statistics Norway show that the number of moose harvested continues to fall, and the yield has not been lower since the hunting year 1989/1990. A total of 27,500 moose were killed in the 2022/2023 hunting year. Pål Sindre Svae is game manager in Indre Østfold municipality. He believes all arrows point downward for the moose. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news The reason why the elk is struggling is complex, the game manager believes. – The elk is a climate loser. Hot summer means poor milk production and small calves. In the past, there have been too many moose, which led to overgrazing, says Svae. – In addition, we probably shot a bit wrong. There has been a greater focus on trophies and a full freezer than management. That is why all of Østfold and Follo have started a charity this hunting season. The plan is to take out the bad animals, and leave the good ones behind. The hunt is also postponed. – Then the moose get a little more break in the rut. Some start hunting on 5 October, others start on 14 October and some even later too, says Svae. The regular moose hunt started on 25 September. Critical situation The leader of Norway’s Hunters and Fishermen’s Association Østfold, Markus Nagele, believes the hunters respect the restriction. – We must increase the moose population considerably. Then good wildlife management is needed, he says But not everyone agrees that the measures are good enough. Some hunters believe that traditional moose hunting is inadvisable at all this hunting season. One of them is Henning Larsen from Mysen in Indre Østfold. – I don’t think the delayed start of the hunt has any effect. If you are going to pick out weak animals, you have to do it over time, and it should be done by professionals, he says. Hunter Henning Larsen believes the traditional moose hunt should have been stopped in Indre Østfold this hunting season. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news – Many elk hunters are hunting one week a year. When you see a moose in the woods, you may have 10-15 seconds to decide whether to shoot or not. I think it will be wrong, Larsen elaborates. He believes that all the warning lights have been flashing red for some time already, and that the traditional moose hunt in Indre Østfold must stop. – The situation is far beyond critical. Have faith in the hunter Both hunter and game manager agree that the situation is not good for the moose. But wildlife manager Svae does not think a complete stop to hunting in Østfold is the solution. – I’m worried about a complete stop, because then we’ll freeze everything. Also the small young animals. Small animals will never be able to get back up to a normal level, says Svae. He doesn’t know how long restrictions will be needed, but doubts this will be the last season where they are needed. – I am absolutely certain that it will take more than a year. But I hope that the hunters actually take this up here. I have faith in the hunter. I must have that.
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Moose hunting in Østfold and Søndre Akershus postponed – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
