Swine fever curbs moose hunting in south-eastern Finland

African swine fever restrictions are limiting moose hunting in south-eastern Finland and could contribute to more moose collisions next spring, Yle reports.

Hunting is banned in the disease’s core zone. In the wider infection zone, moose may be hunted only by waiting for them in fields. The season began on Saturday.

Most moose are normally hunted in groups using dogs or teams of beaters. Lauri Peippo, acting regional game manager for south-eastern Finland, said the restrictions would significantly affect the moose population in the infection zone and leave the catch well below normal.

Peippo said the size of the moose population is directly linked to the number of collisions. If the population grows too large, the risk of collisions rises. He expects the reduced hunting this autumn to be reflected in collision numbers next spring.

Peippo said he hoped the disease would be brought under control quickly. If restrictions remain in place for a long time, he warned, the region would face a crisis in game management, with further consequences likely to intensify.

Drivers urged to stay alert

Moose hunting season can increase collision risks in autumn even under normal circumstances. The riskiest times are dawn and dusk, when a moose may suddenly appear on the road. Police say moose may also move closer to roads during the hunting season, including in daylight.

Police advise drivers to slow down at moose warning signs and watch the sides of the road more carefully than usual. Janne Saarikoski, a traffic safety official at the Southeast Finland Centre for Economic Development, urged drivers to keep their attention on the road rather than using a phone or car navigation system.

Saarikoski said reducing speed, particularly on roads with a 100 km/h limit, gives drivers more time to react, shortens braking distances and lessens the consequences of a collision. He said cutting speed by a quarter roughly halves both braking distance and impact energy.