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Hunters criticized for wasteful practices in Salla, Finland

Saturday 5th 2024 on 15:09 in  
Finland

Many hunters discard the birds they shoot in their entirety. Others only take the best parts and leave the remains for others to find in nature. In Salla, there have been instances of such behavior over the years, according to Janne Saariniemi, hunting leader of Pohjois-Sallan Erä.

“It’s outright criminal activity. Game meat should be utilized and turned into food,” he stated, noting that these hunters often come from southern regions and hunt on state land. He questioned whether they lack the skills to process game or if they are simply overzealous in their hunting due to dog training.

Every autumn, the Finnish Forest Administration receives reports of leftover game remains left in the wilderness. Wildlife warden Jani Suua highlights that these leftovers are most commonly found during the hunting of grouse and moose. Recently, for example, 13 grouse carcasses were discovered near Pudasjärvi, where only the breast fillets were taken while the rest was abandoned.

“No true hunter would leave valuable meat behind. The skin, legs, and wings should also be packed up and disposed of properly,” Suua emphasized. He notes that those who usually leave waste are hunters camping in the woods or parking lots for several days. Additionally, during moose hunting season, passersby may encounter unpleasant sights, such as moose parts left lying around.

Leftover parts can also pose dangers to pets, as bird bones can cause intestinal blockages. Suua warns that such littering can damage the reputation of hunting as a sport. “Everyone has the right to utilize their catch as they wish, but we hunters should always consider other nature-goers and clean up after ourselves to avoid creating a negative impression,” he remarked. He believes most hunters act appropriately, gutting their catch in the field and properly disposing of unnecessary parts.

Source 
(via yle.fi)