Elk¹ hunting is an important part of Finnish hunting culture. While in the past game hunting was essential for people to stay alive, today it is more often a way for Finns to feel connected to nature² while socializing with friends. Some one hundred thousand Finns go elk hunting every autumn, and an elk hunter wearing a red hunting waistcoat and cap is a familiar sight for most Finns. Yet many non-hunters have only vague notions of what elk hunting is all about.

This paper gives an overview of elk hunting in Finland, with the emphasis on present-day legislation and hunting methods. It also profiles Finnish elk hunters by age, gender, experience and motivation. It answers the questions 'who is a typical Finnish elk hunter in the early 21st century,' and 'why does (s)he hunt?'

The Elk Hunting Situation at the Beginning of the 21st Century

During the six first autumns of the 21st century more elks have been shot in Finland than ever before, altogether nearly 450,000 (Malinen 7). A total of 74,000 elks was shot in autumn 2005. Only in 2002 and 2003 has the number been bigger, both times exceeding 80,000 (Vikberg). When numbers of that quantity are presented, it might make elk hunting seem more simple than it actually is. In fact there are many regulations and issues of which elk hunters have to be aware already before the actual hunt.³

Hunting Is Regulated Recreation

Hunting is a strictly regulated hobby, which is understandable considering the weapons that are involved in it. Not only does the legislation dictate who can hunt, but it also dictates where, when, how, and what can be hunted. There are regulations concerning the colour of hunting clothes as well as the use of dogs and equipment (Nummi 48).

Regulations that are related to elk hunting can be found in many acts and decrees, of which the Hunting Act⁴ and the Hunting Decree are the most important. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry can lay down their own decrees to further define the hunting legislation. Other regulations that are important to elk hunters can be found, for instance, in the Nature Conservation Act, the Firearm Act and the Off-Road Traffic Act (Malinen 152).

Hunting Issues Concern Different Authorities

Hunting in Finland must be practised in accordance with principles of sustainable development so that game populations won't be endangered (Metsästyslaki 20 §). In order to follow those principles in elk hunting it is important to have up-to-date data on the size of the elk population, as well as on its age, gender structure, and efficiency of breeding (Hirvikannan).

The Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute is responsible for estimating the sizes of the various game populations, but the input of hunters and other nature enthusiasts plays an important part in collecting the data they use (Nummi 48-49).

Some thirty years ago, the elk observation card was developed to help estimate the size of the elk population in Finland (Malinen 74). This card is nowadays used by elk hunters and hunting clubs. The hunters' observations of male and female elks, including calves, are recorded on the cards, which then give the Game and Fisheries Research Institute information about the structure of the adult elk population and calf production (Hirvihavaintokortti). It is often the case that only one person from an elk hunting club marks down the observations on the card at the end of each hunting day, but all the hunters give this person information. Filling in the elk observation card is voluntary but recommended (Turunen). The use of this card has become more widespread during the 21st century: after the hunt of autumn 2004, elk hunters [elk hunting clubs]⁵ returned over 5406 observation cards, which was the all-time record (Malinen 74).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry decides on the maximum number of hunting licences per hunting year based on population density estimates made by the Game and Fisheries Research Institute. The Game Management Districts are informed about the decisions made by the Ministry, and the Game Management Districts then grant the final licences (Suomi).

There are fifteen Game Management Districts in Finland (Riistanhoitopiirit). Those fifteen districts, in turn, have been divided into Game Management Associations. A Game Management Association normally has authority in the area of one or two municipalities. There are 298 Game Management Associations in Finland. Their operation is funded mainly through game management fees that are collected from the hunters (Riistanhoitoyhdistykset). Among the most important duties of the Game Management Associations are arranging hunter's examinations and shooting tests and giving statements concerning the licence applications that they receive (Kairikko 108).

How Does One Get a Licence For Elk Hunting?

A licence is required in order to hunt elks in Finland; the licence is valid for one hunting year at a time (Metsästyslaki 10 §; Metsästysasetus 8 §). The hunting year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July (Metsästyslaki 4 §), but in practice the licence can only be used during the few months of the elk hunting season, each autumn. The licence is granted by the Game Management District, whose responsibility it is to ensure that the elk population will not be endangered due to hunting, and that the crop damage and other hindrances caused by elks would stay at a reasonable level (Metsästyslaki 26 §).

Elk hunting licences are issued only for specific hunting areas. The hunting area where elks are hunted has to cover at least 1000 hectares [about 2500 acres]. Exceptions to this requirement can be made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Metsästyslaki 27 §). The licence application has to be made in writing and a map of the hunting area has to be enclosed (Metsästysasetus 6 §). Elk hunting clubs usually have their own established hunting areas, which they use year after year. Elk hunting clubs may originally have been formed, for example, by certain villagers or co-workers, of whom some might have owned land suitable for hunting purposes. On the other hand, if no one in a group of prospective hunters is a landowner, the group can lease land from private landowners or from the Finnish Forest and Park Service (Turunen).

Elk hunting clubs have an important role in determining the number of licences, because they have to apply for a certain number of licences based on their view of the strength of the elk population.

Elk hunting clubs often have annual meetings at the beginning of the year, generally in January, when it is time to think about the following autumn's elk hunting period. After the hunt of the previous autumn has ended and the elk observation card has been filled in by the hunting club, it is time to assess in which direction the situation of the elk population in the hunting area is developing (Malinen 185).

Each Game Management Association organises a meeting, usually in March or April, for those [elk hunting clubs] who are planning to apply for licences to hunt elks. At a meeting like this the representatives of the Game Management Association bring out their stand concerning the state of the local elk population. The Game Management Association suggests its plan for hunting elks, which provides a basis for a conversation about the number of licence applications. The Game Management Association is only an advisory body in licence-related matters (Malinen 185).

The licence application has to be delivered by 30 April to the Game Management Association in the operation district of which most of the hunting area mentioned in the application is located. The Game Association has to enclose its statement to the application and send the documents to the Game Management District by 15 May. The Game Management District must decide on the applications by 10 August (Metsästysasetus 8 §). The applications are seldom completely rejected, but the number of granted licences can differ from the number that was applied for. The larger the hunting area of a certain elk hunting club is, the more licences to hunt elks it usually receives; when compared to small areas, the calf production in large areas is more substantial and there is a larger elk population to be cut (Turunen).

When issued, the licence for one elk gives the right to shoot either one adult elk or two calves. ('Calf' means an elk under the age of one year.) Details concerning the age or gender of the elks that are allowed to be shot can be added to the granted licences when it is necessary to affect the structure of the elk population (Metsästysasetus 7 §) from the viewpoint of game management. It is forbidden to shoot female elks with a calf or calves [unless the calf or calves can be shot as well: they are unlikely to survive on their own] (Kairikko 49).

Other Prerequisites for Elk Hunters

The applicant [an elk hunting club] receiving the licence has to name a leader of the shoot. A person taking part in the hunt is obliged to follow the instructions given by the leader of the shoot, who has the right to prevent a person who neglects the instructions from taking part in the hunt (Metsästyslaki 28 §). Nowadays practically every elk hunter is a member of some elk hunting club or group, because the hunt is easier to organise in a group. Furthermore, the licence application procedure itself directs elk hunting towards a group activity (Turunen).

In addition to the licence to hunt elks, potential hunters must have a hunting card, the right to hunt in some hunting area, a valid document of a passed shooting test, and licences for the guns (Rantanen, Luodikko). The hunting card becomes valid after the game management fee for the hunting year has been paid (Metsästyskortti). However, before the game management fee can be paid, the hunter's examination has to be passed (Laki riistanhoitomaksusta ja pyyntilupamaksusta 2 §). The hunter's examination is a written exam (Metsästäjätutkinto).

The shooting test is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The objective is to hit a 23-centimetre diameter stationary target from a distance of 75 meters. The applicants can choose between three different shooting postures: standing, kneeling and sitting. The examinees have four test shots. To pass the test, all four shots, which should be shot within ninety seconds, have to hit at least the outer edge of the 23-centimetre target area (Malinen 178). The document of a passed shooting test is valid for three years (Metsästyslaki 21 §).

When shooting elks, the bullet in the cartridge has to weigh at least nine grams and the hit energy has to be at least 2700 joules at a distance of 100 metres, measured from the mouth of the barrel (E100>2700J) (Metsästysasetus 16 §). Shotguns and shot cartridges cannot be used for shooting elks (Metsästysasetus 18§).

Preparations for the Hunt Can Be Made During the Year

Once all the necessities which are dictated by the legislation have been taken care of properly, the hunters have time to concentrate on the actual hobby. There are some preparations that the hunters can make in order to ensure safer, more successful and more pleasant hunting.

Example of a high-seat. Shelter built by an elk hunting club. (Photos by Aino Turunen)

Those hunting areas where elk hunting has become a tradition usually have established places for stands⁶, because elks often use the same forest paths year after year. Some experienced elk hunters know their hunting area thoroughly, but in order to avoid risks it is important that also newcomers know where all the stands are located that will be used during a particular shoot [so that they don't accidentally enter the field of fire]. A simple way to mark a stand is, for example, to drive a stake with a ribbon into the ground (Malinen 190).

Each stand should have its own allowed shooting sector. Whereas the distance in a shooting test is 75 metres, it would be a luxury to have such an extensive unrestricted view in a real-life hunting situation. The hunters can improve the visibility in the shooting sector by removing undergrowth and small trees from the most likely lines of fire, but that can only be done with the landowner's permission (Malinen 191). The visibility in a certain place is usually improved only every five years, for example, not annually (Turunen).

Active elk hunters develop their shooting skills during the year. In the winter they usually practise at indoor shooting ranges with air rifles and small-bore rifles. When the weather gets warmer after winter, they can continue practising at outdoor shooting ranges with heavier guns (Kairikko 94).

Hunters with hunting dogs keep the dogs in good shape throughout the year. In the early autumn the dogs can be taken to the forest to get practical training (Kairikko 94-95). A dog that is being used in elk hunting can be trained [unleashed in the forest] from 20 August to the end of December (Metsästyslaki 52 §).

Building new high-seats is another thing that elk hunters can do before the opening of the hunting season (Kairikko 95). A good high-seat doesn't stick out from its surroundings, but provides an unrestricted view and the possibility for better shots (Malinen 190).

There are also different kinds of huts, lodges and lean-tos which have been built for hunting purposes; the majority of these structures have been built by elk hunters. Since elk hunting is often group activity, it is good to have a place where the hunters can gather and be sheltered against the weather (Malinen 190). Building the structures is usually teamwork; the hunting club members are expected to contribute to such voluntary work in preparation for the hunt (Malinen 189).

Feeding grounds for elks can be made in the spring to provide elks more food in the autumn. Feeding grounds are made in the hunting area of the hunting club with the permission of the landowner. The field is sowed with seeds of fodder plants. The hunters can also use salt licks to attract the elks and place salt blocks in the forest near the feeding grounds (Turunen).

The Elk Hunting Season and Methods of Hunting

The elk hunting period opens on the last Saturday of September and ends on 15 December. Elk cannot be hunted between 16 December and the day before the last Saturday of September (Metsästysasetus 24 §).

The legislation in Finland requires that elk hunters wear specific types of protective clothing (Metsästysasetus 22 §). The red or orange pieces of clothing that are required to be worn by the hunters are a safety precaution, because the red or orange colour makes it possible for hunters to see each other better. The hunters should pay attention to their clothing also because the weather conditions can be very different during the elk hunting season. When the season opens, the air temperature can easily be 10 degrees Celsius and it can rain a lot. The closer the winter gets, the colder the weather usually is, and it often snows too.

There are hunting methods that can be chosen when hunting alone, but the most common methods are group-oriented, since elk hunting usually involves teamwork among the members of the hunting club. The hunt is usually organised on weekends for practical reasons: many hunters work on weekdays.

Using Dogs to Aid the Hunting

Approximately seven out of ten elk hunting clubs use a dog or dogs (Malinen 199). The Norwegian elkhound, the Swedish elkhound (Jämthund), the Carelian bear dog and the Finnish spitz, as well as multi-breed dogs, are among the most often used dog breeds in Finnish elk hunting (Nummi 87).

The dogs are trained to find elks that are in the hunting area. The dog can locate the elks by following their tracks or by picking up their scent. When an experienced dog gets closer to an elk, the dog starts to bark, cautiously, so as not to drive the elk away. If the dog barks too aggressively, it might scare the elk away. The bark of the dog informs the hunters of the found elk. If the elk runs away, the dog should follow it and try to locate it again. The bark of the dog should also make it impossible for the elk to hear the approaching hunter (Nummi 88). If possible, the hunter should see that he⁷ is downwind when approaching the elk [so that the elk wouldn't smell the person] (Kairikko 167).

When using dogs, elks are shot by someone in the line of guns⁸. A bark that slowly gets nearer the stand gives the shooters time to prepare their shots. The first elk to be shot when using a young, inexperienced dog should always be shot when the elk is standing motionless and the dog is barking. If an elk is shot while it is running, the dog might think it should try to get the elk to run in future hunts (Nummi 88-89).

Shooters must be extremely careful when there is a dog in sight. If the dog is behind the elk or between the hunter and the elk, so that the shot would go over the dog, it is not allowed to shoot (Nummi 89).

Dogs on leashes are also sometimes used. This way of using the dog is useful when there is a need for selective hunting, but not much hunting time left: if the found elk is not of the right age or gender, it can be left untouched and the hunt will continue somewhere else without having to find the dog first (Malinen 203).

Unfortunately the hunt doesn't always end after the initial shooting (Malinen 228). There are no statistics concerning the number of elks which have been wounded but not killed after the initial shot(s), but roughly estimated every tenth shot elk requires some additional searching (Malinen 230). When the hit is only superficial, it might be difficult to find the wounded elk without a dog, especially if there is no snow on the ground (Malinen 228). A good elk hunting dog helps to find both wounded elks and those which have subsequently died from their wounds (Malinen 199). Some dog breeds, like spaniels, retrievers and dachshunds, are especially good in tracking (Malinen 228).

Driven Game Shooting

In driven game shooting some of the hunters are beaters and the others are shooters. The line of beaters is supposed to get the elks to move into the direction of the line of guns (Malinen 199). In an ideal situation, the area through which the line of beaters moves can be clearly defined. For example roads, lakes and changing forest types can help in defining the area. The distances between the beaters should stay even; knowing how to use a compass makes it easier for the beaters to keep the right direction (Malinen 212).

An hour or an hour and a half is the maximum time for going through one area, so the area shouldn't be very large. If the drive takes longer than that, the shooters at their stands will become less alert. Furthermore, the elks may have time to escape from the area (Malinen 209).

The beaters make some noise when walking, although the elks would be able to hear the approaching beaters even if they didn't make any extra noise. The little sounds are just a safety precaution so that the beaters can hear and locate each other and that the line of guns can hear the beaters. There should be an agreed safety line [the hunters define a certain line in the forest of which the beaters should be aware before the drive begins]; the line of beaters should inform the line of guns when they have crossed that safety line. After that, the shooters are no longer allowed to shoot in the direction of the beaters (Malinen 212-213).

The line of guns is formed by the shooters, who stay at the given stands as long as the beaters are on the move. The shooter can be on the ground or in a high-seat (Malinen 209-210). The hunters waiting at the stands should be quiet and stay still so that the elks wouldn't become aware of them (Malinen 212).

Beaters are not required to have a hunting card. Thus some elk hunting clubs invite visitors to take part in the hunt as beaters (Malinen 212). In the traditional form of driven game shooting only the line of beaters is used to get the elks moving, but in some newer forms dogs can accompany the beaters (Malinen 207).

Stand Hunting

There was a time when stand hunting⁹ only meant hunting those elks which caused damage in the fields by eating the crop or treading it down. Stand hunting without the intention to prevent crop damage by the elks has become more common only in recent years. The elks visit feeding grounds and fields every so often, which gives hunters a chance to wait for them. An elk hunter who wants to go stand hunting still has to inform the leader of the shoot about his plans, so that the leader of the shoot can control the safety of the situation: if someone else wants to go to the same place too, it has to be known. The elks usually come to the feeding grounds and fields at twilight or in the early morning (Malinen 215-217).

Calling the Elks

Half a century ago the art of calling elks¹⁰ was mastered by hunters. When elk hunting changed into a group activity in the 1970's, the calling method became less used. At the beginning of the 21st century, calling elks is making a comeback. It takes years of practising before the hunter knows how to choose a suitable place for calling elks and how to make sounds that bring results. Male elks, female elks and calves all have their own sounds. In addition to that, elks make different sounds according to the situation. This method of hunting is most popular in northern Finland, where there are few hunters in proportion to the sizes of the hunting areas (Malinen 224), and thus relatively fewer people who could be beaters and shooters. Getting an elk by calling it can sometimes be even easier than locating it by using a group (Turunen).

Stalking

For a long time stalking¹¹ has been an essential part of the hunting culture in Lapland. Quarry that has been caught by stalking has a special value for the hunter, because only the hunter and the game animal have been against each other. No dogs, beaters or lures are involved. Snow on the ground is a precondition for stalking, for the hunter follows and analyses the tracks in the snow. Elks usually don't move downwind, which helps the hunter, since the elk can't sense the approaching hunter so easily. The hunter should move as quietly as possible and be odourless, in the sense that only the smell of the forest is in the clothes. An easy way of scenting the clothes is to keep them in a sack of spruce branches for some days. If the stalker gets close to the elk, a few seconds will be enough time to take a good shot (Malinen 220-221).

Special Traditions of Finnish Elk Hunting

Many elk hunting clubs have their own traditions and customs that are followed within the group after a successful hunt. For some clubs the traditions might be just developing (Kairikko 226). In addition to the different traditions listed below, the stories told by elk hunters could also be considered a part of Finnish hunting culture, regardless of their truth value.

The 'Kaatoryyppy', or 'Post-kill Drink'

There was a time when the shooter took a bottle of spirits from his pack right after the elk had been shot and was being bled. Everyone involved in the hunt took a draught from the bottle until it was emptied (Kairikko 226).

Nowadays the discipline inside the hunting clubs makes it impossible for anyone to continue hunting when intoxicated. Many hunting clubs have made an agreement about drinking only after the quarry has been properly dealt with [and the hunters are no longer in the forest]. Some hunting clubs allow the hunters to take a small 'kaatoryyppy' at the site of the kill, but those who want to drink more have to wait until that hunting day comes to an end (Kairikko 226). The exact nature of the 'kaatoryyppy' can vary, although ALKO¹² sells a product called Kaatoryyppy, which would serve the purpose. (Kaatoryyppy is a clear, unflavoured vodka-type drink with an alcohol volume of 32%.)

Congratulating the Shooter

It is a fairly general custom to congratulate in some special way a hunter who has just shot his first elk. In older days, the shooter had to drink a cup of the elk's blood. However, this might be an unpleasant experience, so the custom is no longer common. Nowadays the leader of the shoot often just marks the shooter's forehead with the blood of the animal (Kairikko 227).

Some elk hunting clubs have small medallions that are given at the end of the hunting day to those who have succeeded (Kairikko 228). A little branch of spruce attached to a hat can also be a recognition for the day's work. Although it is usually success in the hunt that is being noticed, some elk hunting clubs also have a tradition of remembering those who missed their target. For example, a catapult [a 'slingshot' in American English] can be given to an unlucky shooter, to be passed on when someone else fails to hit the target. This kind of custom has probably not been taken into use in order to make the unlucky shooter feel miserable, but to remind the shooters of the significance of a good shot and to make the failure seem more acceptable, in the sense that the members of the hunting club know that it could happen to anyone.

'Hirvipeijaiset'¹³

Most hunting clubs arrange 'peijaiset', or hunting feasts, either annually or every second year. The landowners who have leased their land are invited to the 'peijaiset' together with their families (Kairikko 229). In the feast everyone eats well, the hunters can share their hunting stories, and the members of the hunting club give thanks to all those who have given their contribution to the autumn's hunt (Malinen 250-251). The tradition of organising 'peijaiset' started in the 1950's (Kairikko 229).

Changes in Elk Hunting Regulations and Procedures in Recent Decades

The past fifty years show the changes that have happened in elk hunting. It is hard to say if the hunters have become more skilful, but the dogs have become better and the guns and optics are more sophisticated now. Laws and acts have also changed in the course of time (Keskinen).

Legislation and Regulations

The present time frame for the elk hunting season — from the last Saturday of September to 15 December — was given in the Hunting Act of 1993 (Malinen 7). Prior to 1993 detailed information about the hunting area had to be included with the licence application; at least three days before the beginning of the hunt very specific information regarding the hunters and their guns had to be sent to the police. In the 1980's and the 1990's the terms of the licences sometimes dictated how many elks could be shot on which side of the roads running through the hunting areas (Malinen 28-29). There were many similar types of detailed regulations; one could assume that the actual hunting became more pleasant after some such regulations were removed.

Hunting Methods and Dogs

Elk hunting changed into a group activity in the 1970's (Malinen 224). Thus it could be assumed that driven game shooting and using dogs inside the line of guns are frequently used hunting methods, since they enable the participation of many hunters. The importance of the group comes apparent even if some hunters wish to go hunting on their own, since they still have to inform the leader of the shoot about their plans, as previously mentioned.

Nowadays dogs are a part of most hunts. A dog can do the job of twenty beaters, more quickly and effectively (Nummi 88). In 1965 Tauno V. Mäki, a Finnish hunting expert, wrote in his book Hirvenmetsästys that there were only a few good elk hunting dogs in Finland (46). However, nowadays the situation with dogs is different. These days elk-barking tests are organised. The tests aim at guaranteeing that there will be well-trained elk hunting dogs and at finding out the good traits of the dogs for use in breeding (Hirvenhaukkukokeen 4). When taking those things into consideration, it could be said that there are many good elk hunting dogs in Finland these days, and dogs probably have more significance now than in the sixties, when Mäki was writing.

The Growing Use of Electronics in Elk Hunting

Electronic equipment is an essential part of elk hunting in the 21st century. The dog can be located by using a GPS locator that is connected to a mobile phone, and the hunters can communicate through VHF phones (Matikainen). The hunters can also use mobile phones for communication, but by communicating through VHF phones more people can be reached at the same time. A radio licence is required when using VHF phones, but after the radio licence (18.50 euros in 2006) has been paid, the VHF phone is free to use. Those who don't have VHF phones are contacted individually through mobile phones (Turunen). Some hunters might have GPS locators that show different locations — like where their car or planned destination is — on a digital map (Nummi 51).

Norwegian elkhound with a GPS transmitter harness (Photo by Aino Turunen)

A few years ago, Pointer Solutions, a pioneer in the field of dog radar, noticed that the traditional dog radar couldn't be developed much further. The traditional dog radar is based on radio waves (Matikainen), with the result that electric lines or rocks, for example, might affect the signal negatively. In addition to that, the traditional dog radar can't show the exact location or speed of the dog (Mikkola).

A new GPS locator device was developed as an option to the traditional radar. In the GPS device the transmitter is attached to the back of the dog inside a light harness. The information goes from the transmitter in the form of short messages through the mobile phone network to the receiver. It takes about ten seconds to locate the dog; its location, speed and direction can be seen on a digital map displayed on a phone. If someone telephones to the transmitter, a microphone is activated and the sounds of the dog can be heard (Matikainen), which is an easy way to find out if it has located an elk and is barking, even if the barking can't yet be heard by the hunters.

Is the Number of Elk Hunters Increasing or Declining?

In 1965 Tauno Mäki wrote that there were almost 40,000 elk hunters in Finland (Hirvenmetsästys 7). Nowadays about 100,000 Finns take part in elk hunting. There are over 2000 women hunters, about two per cent of all elk hunters (Malinen 101). There are substantially more elk hunters now than a few decades ago, and more women are also involved. But is the number of elk hunters increasing or declining?

On the one hand, the number of Finns with hunting cards has grown rapidly in recent years. Young people are also becoming more interested in hunting. In 2004 there were 299,600 people who had a hunting card, which makes over 10,000 cards more than in 2000 (289,256). Not all of those people with hunting cards are elk hunters, of course, but the increasing interest towards elk hunting is suspected to have had an impact on the growing number of cards (Rantanen, Tähtäimessä).

On the other hand, according to a survey by the Finnish Forest Research Institute in the early 21st century, about one fifth of the leaders of elk hunting clubs reported that ageing had reduced the number of active members in their clubs. Only in every fourth hunting club had the average age of hunters remained stable, thanks to new members. This suggests that more older elk hunters are withdrawing from the hobby than are being replaced by new, younger hunters. Thus if the elk population in Finland stays at the level it is, or even grows, it could happen that in future there would not be enough hunters and the desired number of elks could not be shot (Petäjistö). As the sources did not agree on the age issue, one of the questions employed in the survey on contemporary Finnish elk hunters which follows in this paper attempts to clarify this point.

What Explains the Increase in the Number of Elks?

Although thousands of elks get shot every autumn, there are still at least 100,000 elks living in Finnish forests in the winter (Malinen 7). The elk benefits from the actions of humans. New forestland is continually being planted; the elks like to eat these saplings during the winter [although that is not what the forest owners wish to happen]. Healthy female elks breed productively, starting at a relatively young age. Furthermore, selective hunting has actually increased the size of the elk population through the large proportion of calves shot in the hunt. The fertile adults who survive soon reproduce even more calves than had been shot (Malinen 75). Thus there is a continual need for hunting to help reduce the elk population to manageable dimensions.

Elk Hunting in Finland in Autumn 2006

Over 100,000 Finns started elk hunting in autumn 2006. Altogether about 66,000 licences were granted by the Game Management Districts, with an estimate that 76,000-80,000 elks would be¹⁴ shot [bearing in mind the possibility of two calves getting shot by one licence] (Hirvijahti).

The initial elk hunting seasons of the 21st century reduced the number of elks in southern Finland, but didn't really affect the size of the elk population in the northern parts of the country, where greater densities of elks were to be found (Ruusila). The size of the elk population in the northern Game Management Districts has caused problems; the need to cut the population there was to be seen in the number of granted licences in 2006 (Turunen).

The Game Management District of Oulu [one of the northern districts, and also one of the largest] granted the most licences for 2006, almost 15,000. The number of licences would make it possible to shoot over 20,000 elks in the district. The hope of fewer vehicle collisions with elks is one reason for cutting the elk population, for there have been approximately 400 such collisions on the roads of the Game Management District of Oulu every year (Rantanen, Kaikkien). These collisions are often fatal for vehicle occupants as well as the moose.

Another reason is the damage to forests caused by elks. Forest owners are entitled to compensation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the damage caused by elks, upon application for the compensation through the Forestry Centre¹⁵, which assesses the damage (Turunen). In 2005, over one million euros were paid to forest owners in compensation for damage caused by elks in the Game Management District of Oulu alone (Rantanen, Kaikkien). Thus it is in the economic interest of the Finnish government and private forest owners alike to control the elk population through hunting.

Who Are the Elk Hunters of the Early 21st Century?

From the material cited above from Mäki and Malinen, it is evident that men comprise the majority of Finnish elk hunters. However, women are involved too. What percentage of elk hunters do they comprise today? Further, the ageing of the older generations of elk hunters worries many people. Are they being replaced by new generations, or is there a risk of elk hunting dying out? The significance of electronic equipment in present-day hunting is noted in several sources, almost as if it were self-evident that every hunter has some gadget to facilitate the hunt. The sources also suggest that nearly every elk hunter today uses a hunting dog or dogs.

Yet, how valid are these assumptions? In order to test them, a survey of autumn 2006 elk hunters was conducted among the members of five elk hunting clubs. Several additional questions were also included to further define the hunters' backgrounds and thoughts concerning elk hunting.

The five particular elk hunting clubs were chosen for the survey because the author of this paper knew someone from each club. Three of the five clubs have their hunting area in the Game Management District of Pohjois-Häme, one in the Game Management District of Oulu and one in the Game Management District of Pohjois-Karjala.

A questionnaire16 was developed for the survey. In each hunting club there was a contact person to whom the questionnaires were delivered. The contact persons gave the questionnaires to the members of their club on one of their hunting days. Thus it wasn't necessarily the case that all the members of the five hunting clubs answered the questions, but rather only those who were present on the particular day (or days). The contact persons then delivered the answers to the author of this paper. All the received answers, altogether 37, were given by the respondents during the seven-day period between 21 and 28 October 2006.

The respondents were asked about their age and gender, their initial motives for hunting, their experience in hunting, the distance they needed to travel to hunt, what kinds of equipment they used, whether they used dogs or not, and what they felt was most important in elk hunting. It was hoped that the answers to these questions would provide a more exact description of current elk hunters and elk hunting.

Question 1 — Age

This question was planned to show the age structure of the survey group. What was the average age of the hunters? Were they mainly older, or were younger generations also represented?

In 35 of the received 37 question papers, the respondents had given their year of birth. The years of birth ranged from 1927 to 1993; every decade between the 1920's and the 1990's was represented as a decade of birth. One of the respondents was born in the 1920's, six (17%) were born in the 1930's, 11 (31%) in the 1940's, six (17%) each in the 1950's and the 1960's, one in the 1970's, three (9%) were born in the 1980's and one was born in the 1990's.

The vast majority, 29 (82%) of the respondents, was born between the 1930's and the 1960's. The average year of birth was 1952. In other words, the average age of the respondents at the end of the year 2006 would be 54 years.

When such results — with birthdates ranging over eight decades — can be obtained from a relatively small sample group, it can be firmly claimed that Finns from several generations are currently active in elk hunting; the hunting clubs do also have younger members. On the other hand, the average age of the respondents, which exceeded 50 years, could be thought to have a connection with the previously-mentioned concern about the ageing of elk hunters. Thus the answer to this question remains contradictory.

Question 2 — Gender

Does the gender distribution among the respondents reinforce the general notion of the male majority in elk hunting?

Only one of the 37 respondents to the questionnaire was a woman; the other 36 were men. It may only be a coincidence, but the percentage of women hunters engaged in elk hunting in Finland has been estimated to be about two percent, and one out of 37 makes a little over two percent. While this limited number is not statistically significant, it does support the fact that there really are women involved in elk hunting, even if they are a clear minority.

Question 3 — Motives for Starting Elk Hunting

Nowadays people can easily get meat simply by going to the grocery and buying it. Buying venison is not as easy as buying beef, but nevertheless it could be thought that getting venison is not the first thing that the majority of elk hunters would have had in mind when they started elk hunting (although decades ago the situation was different than nowadays). But if it wasn't getting meat, what was the motive?

Two options stood out from the rest in their popularity: 17 people (46%) answered that hunting some other game animal had aroused their interest in hunting elk, and 14 people (38%) reported that a family member who hunted was their most important motive for starting. Four respondents (11%) had become interested through a hunting friend; one had started elk hunting simply out of curiosity to try something new. For one other respondent, however, getting venison was the most important factor.

The responses for this question show that many elk hunters began their hobby only after experience in hunting another game animal or by via a family member or friend who had been involved in elk hunting. The experience of this paper's author suggests it is not unusual to have many hunters in one family¹⁷, although this question as such was not addressed by the questionnaire.

It was interesting that one person did report that getting venison had been his most important motive. However, this person was born in the 1930's and had been participating in elk hunting for over 40 years. Thus it is possible that there hadn't been an abundance of food when he had started hunting.

Question 4 — What do the Hunters Feel is Most Important in Elk Hunting?

The objective of this question was to find out how hunters value the different aspects of elk hunting. Since it is a group activity, unlike hunting many other game animals, it could be expected that the social aspect has some value for the hunters. Hunting in general is about being in nature, but can it be seen in the answers?

Hunting is a group activity; the hunters form close bonds with one another. Here a freshly-killed elk is being prepared for removal from the forest (Photo by Aino Turunen)

The respondents were asked to choose two things that were most important to them in elk hunting. All 37 respondents chose two things, but they didn't all mark which was the more important of the two (which had been requested). There were altogether 74 votes given (each of the 37 respondents chose two things).

'Being in nature' (option b.) received the most votes, 24 (32.5%), and 'the excitement and feelings of succeeding that are involved' (e.) was in second place with 18 votes (24%). The rest of the options in the order of their popularity were: 'social activity' (c.) 14 votes (19%); 'being outdoors and getting exercise' (a.) 10 votes (13.5%); and 'the share of meat that will be got' (d.) 7 votes (9.5%). One person gave an open answer, (f.), in which the importance of breeding and training dogs was mentioned.

On the basis of these answers, it would appear that elk hunting has a different value for different hunters. However, 'being in nature' (b.) received almost one third (32.5%) of the votes. In this respect the nature-aspect alone could be thought to have significance for many hunters; hunting can be seen as a way of being connected to nature. "Social activity" (c.) received roughly one fifth of the votes, being in third place. This shows that sociality, and thus probably also good relationships and bonds between other members of the hunting club, were also of great value to the survey respondents.

Question 5 — Experience

There apparently are many older elk hunters, but how much experience do hunters generally have?

The majority of the respondents, 11 people (30%), had participated in elk hunting for 21-30 years. Seven respondents (19%) had been involved in elk hunting for 31-40 years, and seven respondents (19%) over forty years. Six respondents (16%) had an experience of 11-20 years in elk hunting; only six respondents (16%) had an experience of less than ten years.

The responses to this question show that elk hunting has long-time devotees. Over two thirds of the respondents (68%) have 21 years or more of experience, a respectable period of time. This shows that there is a strong hunting knowledge among the survey respondents.

Question 6 — Distances

How far do elk hunters have to travel in order to be able to take part in the hunt? Are they all 'local' hunters, so to speak?

The distance between the home of the respondent and the meeting place¹⁸ of the hunting club ranged from one to 650 kilometres. For 23 of the respondents (62%) the distance was between 1-30 kilometres. Nine respondents (24%) reported a distance of 30-100 kilometres; the remaining five respondents (14%) reported needing to drive more than 100 kilometres from their home to the meeting place.

Obviously, the respondents were not all 'local' hunters, since the longest distance was 650 kilometres. Yet, most of the respondents (62%) didn't need to drive more than 30 kilometres to the meeting place, which shows that they could hunt rather close to their homes. On the other hand, it could be assumed that for some hunters the travel costs might be substantial. Even so, the fact that they are ready to drive long distances suggests that being a member of a certain club is important to them.

Question 7 — Electronic Equipment and Dogs

How widespread was the use of radio phones, mobile phones, GPS locators and dogs among the survey respondents? Do the majority of elk hunting clubs nowadays use dogs? Do all dog owners have a way of locating their dog(s) electronically?

A 'typical' elk hunter with his radio phone. (Photo by Aino Turunen)

Of the 37 respondents, 36 (97%) used at least one of the mentioned electronic devices. Thus the claim in the sources that virtually every elk hunter nowadays uses some sort of electronic hunting aid clearly appears to be true.

The majority of the respondents, 24 people (65%), reported that they used a radio phone; 32 people (86%) also had a mobile phone in their use. Only four people (11%) had a GPS locator.

On the basis of the survey responses it seems that mobile phones are the most common way of contacting other hunters. Yet, among the respondents radio phones seem to have gained popularity as well, which shows that the advantages of radio phones — reaching several hunters simultaneously and not having to pay for each contact separately — has been noticed among the respondents.

As to how common it is to use dogs nowadays, in four of the five hunting clubs members with an elk hunting dog or dogs had answered the questions, which shows at least that dogs are used by most (80%) of the clubs in the survey. This could be expected, since earlier in the paper it was mentioned that approximately seven out of ten elk hunting clubs (ca. 70%) use dogs.

Eight (21%) of the 37 respondents had at least one hunting dog. All eight people who reported using dogs had either traditional radar or a GPS locator or both for locating their dog(s). Thus the answers to this question suggest that all elk hunters who have dogs also have a way of locating them electronically. This may not be surprising: having a way to locate the dog(s) makes the hunt more effective, but it probably also means a lot to the dog owners, since they can find out the whereabouts of the dog(s) and take care of dog's safety better. If the dog is approaching a major road, for example, the hunters would have a chance to try and stop the dog.

The dog breeds that were given by the respondents were the Carelian bear dog, the Norwegian elkhound and multi-breed dogs. All of these breeds were among those mentioned earlier in this paper as being traditional in Finnish elk hunting. The survey responses thus reinforce the notion of the typical dog breeds used in elk hunting in Finland.

The Future of Elk Hunting in Finland

Elk hunting has a long tradition in Finland. Although many aspects of elk hunting have changed in the course of time, devoted hunters have adapted to these changes and continued their hobby, which combines the hunters' own varied interests with the controlling role of hunting in limiting the damage caused by elks to forests, crops and traffic.

The need to control Finland's elk population is an important basis for elk hunting in the 21st century. Future generations of Finns will probably also have the chance to choose elk hunting as one their hobbies, as long as game management is seen as an important part of the decision-making. Indeed, it appears almost essential to get more young hunters involved, both to ensure the continuity of the elk hunting tradition and to maintain the possibility to control the number of elks effectively in the future. It will be interesting to see how the present situation will develop. Will the age or gender structure of elk hunters change? Or will the size of the elk population increase?

It is no wonder that elk hunting is popular in Finland: at its best it offers unique outdoor and social experiences and creates strong personal bonding among the hunters. While it is obvious that the hunt can't be successful every time (sometimes the hunters don't even catch a glimpse of an elk), still elk hunting always has something to give back in exchange for the hunters' time, as can be read from the following dialogue which has been repeated dozens of times between the author of this paper and her father:

'What was the bag of the day?'

'Lots of fresh air and experience.'

---

English-Finnish Glossary of Terms and Names Used in the Paper

Game Management District Game Management Association Game and Fisheries Research Institute Forest Research Institute Forest and Park Service Forestry Centre driven game shooting line of guns line of beaters stand hunting calling stalking stand

riistanhoitopiiri riistanhoitoyhdistys Riista -ja kalatalouden tutkimuslaitos Metsäntutkimuslaitos Metsähallitus Metsäkeskus ajoketjumetsäsys passiketju ajoketju väijyminen houkuttelu naakiminen, jäljittäminen passipaikka

Notes

Two examples (mother & calf) of Alces alces (the Finnish 'elk' and American 'moose') inspecting their photographer (Photo © Asko Hämäläinen; Source: 'Hirvi-1')

¹ The animal whose Latin name is Alces alces [about which this paper is talking] is called an 'elk' in Europe and a 'moose' in North America (Moose). 'Elk' is used in North America to designate the 'wapiti', or Cervus canadensis (European). Alces alces has eight subspecies. The North American 'moose' has 70 chromosome pairs, whereas the European 'elk' only has 68. All the subspecies of Alces alces look very alike (Kairikko 18). (back)

² Being outdoors and participating in 'nature' is often considered to be a part of Finnish life. There are relatively few people (about 5.2 million) in Finland, although the country itself is fairly large. Thus there are lots of uninhabited areas where people can regularly enjoy nature in different ways — for example by picking berries or mushrooms, or fishing, boating, biking, hiking or hunting. (back)

³ When a source is not mentioned, the text is based on the author's conclusions from her observations of and discussions with elk hunters. (back)

⁴ The English translations for the Finnish acts and decrees mentioned in this paper were on the web pages (Translations) of Finlex, which is a cost-free, public statute data bank owned by the Finnish Ministry of Justice. For the purpose of this paper it wasn't necessary to list all the sections of different acts and decrees that affect (elk) hunting. The essential parts of the legislation were translated by the author. The up-to-date legislation of the Finnish Government can be found online in Finnish. (back)

⁵ Square brackets [like this] are used when clarifying information has been added to the cited information. (back)

⁶ Places where the hunters with guns wait for the animals to come. A 'stand' is just a certain location, rather than a structure; the hunter can be on the ground or in a high-seat, for example — either sitting or 'standing'. (back)

⁷ Hunters can of course be male or female, but to make the text more readable only the male pronoun has been used. (back)

⁸ 'The line of guns' means the hunters with guns who are waiting for elks at particular stands. (back)

⁹ Waiting for elks from a concealed or elevated position. (back)

¹⁰ Making sounds similar to those of the elks in order to attract them. (back)

¹¹ Walking quietly in pursuit of a certain elk or elks and analysing their tracks in the snow. (back)

¹² A government-owned enterprise which has the monopoly in retailing wines and spirits in Finland. (back)

¹³ 'Peijaiset' in Finnish folklore means 'a great feast' (Malinen 250). 'Peijaiset' and 'hirvipeijaiset' can be used interchangeably; 'hirvi' is just the Finnish word for 'elk'. (back)

¹⁴ The elk hunting season of 2006 was going on while this paper was being written. (back)

¹⁵ The Finnish Forestry Centre is a network of thirteen regional centres, which contributes to sustainable forestry and is responsible for certain duties given by the law (Metsäkeskukset). (back)

¹⁶ See the Survey Questions (both in Finnish and in English). (back)

¹⁷ The author's father, uncle and grandfather actively hunt elks and even her sister has the right to hunt elks. (back)

¹⁸ Most elk hunting clubs have a certain place - for example a lodge or a lean-to - where the hunters meet in the beginning of the hunting day. (back)

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Appendices

• Survey Questions (in Finnish and English)
• Research Report [PDF]

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Last Updated 23 April 2010