Sweden’s bear hunt opens with 35 animals killed

Sweden’s annual licensed bear hunt began on Friday, with 35 bears reportedly killed during the morning, SVT reports, citing Jaktjournalen.

A total of 394 bears may be shot during this year’s hunt, equivalent to 14 percent of the population. The latest nationwide bear survey, conducted in 2022, estimated that around 2,800 bears lived in the country.

Licensed bear hunting is taking place in seven counties: Värmland, Jämtland, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Västernorrland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten.

Västerbotten has the largest quota, with 100 bears allowed to be shot. In Norrbotten, the quota has nearly doubled from last year, rising to 46 bears from 24.

The hunt in Värmland was called off early on Friday after a female bear was shot.