Finland plans quota hunt for 109 wolves, including eight near Pyhtää

Finland is preparing a winter quota hunt for up to 109 wolves across 18 areas, including eight in the Pyhtää region, Yle reported. The proposed hunting season would run from December 1, 2026, to February 10, 2027.

The Pyhtää Game Management Association supports the proposed hunt, saying wolf numbers in the area have increased year by year. In August, a pack killed six sheep in Pyhtää. The proposed quota area also extends into parts of Kotka and Kouvola.

Proposed quotas across Finland

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s draft proposes quotas outside the reindeer herding area of three wolves in Pahkavaara, four in Ylivieska, six in Lestijärvi, six in Iivantiira-Vuosanka, six in Kivikiekki, two in Juudinsalo, six in Höljäkkä, eight in Pyhtää, seven in Siuntio, four in Somerniemi, six in Mellilä, eight in Punkalaidun, 12 in Kivikylä-Kaivola, seven in Taivassalo, six in Stormi, six in Keikyä, six in Mestilä and six in Rauma-Lappi.

The draft is open for consultation until November 13. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah is expected to decide on the quotas in November.

No hunt planned in several south-eastern areas

No quota hunt is currently planned for Hamina, Virolahti, Miehikkälä or Lappeenranta this winter because no new wolf-dog hybrid samples have been found in the area. In the previous hunt, held in January and February, seven wolves were killed in south-eastern Finland; DNA tests later identified two as wolf-dog hybrids.

African swine fever restrictions apply in Kymenlaakso, and Pyhtää is within the infection zone. The Finnish Food Authority says hunting is currently permitted there using watch hunting and stalking. The Pyhtää association’s chair, Marko Rågback, said the restrictions do not make wolf hunting impossible.