Hunting towers repeatedly sabotaged but will not stop moose hunting, say hunters

Hunting towers used for moose hunting have been deliberately destroyed or damaged in multiple regions of Finland in recent years, with the latest incidents reported in Kouvola, Kymenlaakso, according to a report by Yle. Despite the sabotage, local hunting associations state that moose hunting will continue as planned.

The Finnish Hunters’ Association and local hunting clubs have expressed concern over the repeated vandalism, which has caused injuries and disrupted wildlife management efforts. In early March, eight hunting towers were found destroyed in Kouvola, with most located along forest roads in Elimäki. Only one tower remained intact.

“It’s both unfortunate and absurd how much effort has gone into this,” said Sami Tapio, chair of the Elimäki Eräveikot hunting club. Five of the destroyed towers belonged to his association, which still has around 20 others standing.

Police in Southeast Finland are investigating the incidents as acts of vandalism. The sabotage has become an annual problem, particularly in Kymenlaakso, Päijät-Häme, and Southwest Finland, where dozens of towers have been damaged or demolished over the past two years. In addition to towers, feeding stations and wildlife cameras have also been targeted in Elimäki.

“This is a difficult situation for hunting clubs. We’d rather spend our time on wildlife management than rebuilding towers,” said Ilkka Höysti, chair of the Elimäki Game Management Association and a member of the Ratula hunting club.

Höysti believes the acts are carried out by a “very small group” and stresses that hunters generally support conservation efforts. “I don’t think this reflects the work of mainstream environmental organisations,” he added.

The towers play a key role in ensuring hunting safety, according to Tapio. “A hunter has better visibility from a tower. Shooting from a height shortens the bullet’s trajectory and reduces the risk of ricochets.” The towers also help direct hunting away from high-traffic areas like Highway 6, reducing the risk of moose-vehicle collisions.

Both Tapio and Höysti agree that destroying the towers will not halt moose hunting, which is strictly regulated. Höysti warned that ending hunting would lead to significant damage in agriculture, forestry, and road traffic.

The sabotage has already resulted in injuries. Last autumn, a hunter in Salo was injured after a tampered tower collapsed beneath them. Jaakko Silpola, executive director of the Finnish Hunters’ Association, noted that the deliberate damage—such as sawing through steps or supports—puts not only hunters but also hikers and berry pickers at risk.

The activist group Animal Liberation Front (EVR) claimed responsibility for some of the destruction last autumn, stating its goal was to disrupt hunting and impose financial losses on hunters while denying any intent to harm individuals. Silpola condemned the acts and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

“It’s hard to understand what they hope to achieve. Society demands that moose populations be managed, and some seem to think they have the right to prevent that,” Silpola said.