Bear hunting season opens in Finland amid permit controversies and high demand

At 3:57 AM, a grey Norwegian elkhound named Oskari picks up a scent and pulls his owner, Marko Kainulainen, from the roadside into the forest. “Let’s head out,” Kainulainen says, releasing Oskari from his leash.

As phones illuminate the night, dogs and hunters are tracked via satellite. The bear hunting season commenced on August 20 at midnight. Bears primarily feed at night, retreating to resting spots during the day, which is when hunters attempt to find their trails before sunlight erases the evidence of their passage.

Hunting bears in Finland is complicated, especially obtaining the required permits. This year, bear hunting is restricted to reindeer herding areas, as permits issued elsewhere have been overturned in court in recent years.

In total, 70 bear permits are available in reindeer herding areas, and non-residents must acquire personal permissions to hunt. Limited permits sell out quickly; the most popular area’s season permits were gone within about an hour.

Some areas, such as Suomussalmi and Kuusamo, are favored due to higher bear populations. Many hunters express dissatisfaction with the current permit system and suggest improvements.

Bear hunting is traditionally managed through specific quotas for designated areas, while permits beyond these zones are now largely unavailable.

The popularity of designated bear hunting areas has led to possible congestion. In the most sought-after area, 625 hunters secured permits.

The hunters advocate for a system similar to moose hunting, where authority distributes permits by region. Feedback from hunters who missed out on desired areas has been noted, and adjustments may be made for future sales.

As the hunt continues, hopes rise; at 4:30 AM, Oskari has been barking for a while, indicating promising activity nearby.