FOREST OWNERS AS MOOSE HUNTERS IN FINLAND

Abstract

A survey was sent to 2,154 Finnish hunters in 1997 to compare the opinions of forest owners and other moose hunters, as well as to examine a number of features connected with moose hunting activities. Forest owners comprised 46% of moose hunters in southern and central Finland. Non-material values, such as spirit of adventure, comradeship, and a feeling of excitement motivated most moose hunters. Their willingness to pay for hunting was more than triple the actual moose hunting costs. Forest owners and other moose hunters both considered the size of the moose population to be reasonable in relation to the amount of moose-related damage, and about one-third would have liked to increase moose numbers. Although forest owners were more aware and concerned about the effects of browsing, only 15% of the forest owners wanted to reduce to moose population. Moose hunting was considered to be so important that is restricted other hunting activities. Moose hunters wanted to reduce the number of large predators due to their influence on moose. The results indicate that local game management should be employed optimize the costs and benefits of moose hunting.