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I grew up on a farm in Scandinavia. We had all kinds
of domestic animals. My dad was a keen hunter. During the season, he
together with other farmer hunters were hunting on numerous farms in the
area. Wildlife management was performed by these hunters. In the harvesting
of game animals, the hunters were sensitive to leave enough game to produce
a healthy population for the next season. The number of predators were
maintained at a sustainable level as well. It was all based on common
sense, the same as any farmer applies to cattle farming. My dad took me
along on these hunts from I was a boy, and I got my first hunter’s
license in 1950. I was hunting in Scandinavia until 1976 at which time I
moved to British Columbia, Canada, where I have lived since.
In Scandinavia, it is the hunters through their hunters associations
that are in charge of wildlife management. The hunters associations make
recommendations to the government which then makes the laws and
regulations. The general public is well educated and informed of all
aspects of wildlife management and the importance of regulated hunting to
allow the sustainable use of the resources. This has resulted in an
abundance of wildlife to the benefit of hunters and non-hunters alike. As
an example of good Scandinavian Wildlife Management, I want to point to
Sweden. They have an excellent website: www.jagareforbundet.se
The Swedish Hunters Association (SHA) or (Svenska Jagareforbundet) was
established in 1830. The association developed further during the remaining
of 1800 and into the first half of 1900 to include all local hunting
associations. Today, the association has head office in Stockholm. It is
independent of all party politic. About 80% of the Swedish hunters are
members of the association. The purpose of the association is to look after
the interest of the hunters as to hunting, wildlife and care of wildlife.
In addition, it shall consider the interest of the general public.
The main objectives of SHA are:
- Organize the Swedish hunters
- Promote good opportunities for hunting
- Take action on issues of general importance for hunters and wildlife
- Work to maintain sustainable numbers of all species through good
wildlife management and controlled hunting
- Work to increase the general understanding of man’s responsibility
for nature and ecology.
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