In late October, a dead deer was found near Flemma in Nordmøre. Just under a week later, the entrails of two other deer animals are found in the same area. The wildlife committee in the municipality suspects that this has been illegal hunting. – These are animals that have not been searched for or that local hunters have been out shooting. Therefore, we suspect that there are people who have had nothing to do there, says Randi Stokke, head of the wildlife committee in Gjemnes municipality. Poaching has also been suspected in Verdal in Trøndelag recently. An elk carcass was found there, which has resulted in a police report, writes newspaper Innherred. – I think it’s a great shame, because the hunters are a fairly vulnerable group who are exposed to a lot of anger from society. Then it is very important that we treat the animals in a humane way and that it can be done in legal ways, says Stokke. Randi Stokke is a huntsman and leader of the game committee in Gjemnes. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Big consequences for the animals Stokke hopes that it is not an uncultured thing that takes off, and that it will be with these cases. She believes poaching poses a great risk of the animals suffering. – If they shot damage, the hunters probably ran away to avoid being discovered, instead of reporting. Hunters must have access to an approved search dog to hunt deer. If animals are injured, they are required by law to look for them. Such searches can last for days, if the municipality instructs the hunting team to continue the search after two days without a find. According to Stokke, poachers don’t care about such rules, which are in place for the animals’ welfare. – We have also previously seen tendencies for poachers to shoot the deer in the head, but then you can hit the jaw. It causes incredible suffering for the animal, because then they can go for weeks before they are completely thirsty and starving, she says. Considering police report Gjemnes municipality has been in contact with the police and is considering whether they should report the possible poaching on Nordmøre. They also ask people in the area to keep an eye out, and to be quick to tip off the police if they see anything suspicious. Operations manager Jan Arild Austnes in the Møre og Romsdal police district says that from time to time they receive tips about poaching in the district, and that they follow closely. – It’s not legal, so it’s something we don’t want to happen. This is regulated for a reason, says Austnes. Here, remains were found after evisceration of deer, i.e. the process by which the entrails are removed. Photo: Landowner Poachers who are discovered risk punishment in the form of confiscation of weapons, hunting licenses and fines. But it can be challenging to get hold of the hunters, and it is crucial that the police get good information, according to Austnes. – If there is little to go on, it is difficult to find out. If you have concrete information about place, time and the like, it is easier to follow up, says the operations manager. – Very unpopular Håvard Skjerstad Andersen in the Norwegian Hunters and Fishers Association says they do not get more information about the extent of poaching in Norway than what is written in the media, but do not have the impression that it is particularly widespread. He says that the poachers are frowned upon among the local hunting community. Håvard Skjerstad Andersen is marketing and communications manager at Norges Jeger og Fisherforbund. – This is very unpopular among other hunters, and not a recognized practice. It’s nothing you talk about out loud anyway, says Andersen. Deer hunting is highly regulated with quotas and set population targets, which he believes has a high level of acceptance among hunters. – This is stealing, from everything and everyone. You destroy other hunters and no one wants to be associated with this. It is unfortunate in every way, says Andersen.
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Deer poaching suspected in Gjemnes on Nordmøre – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
