Bear hunting has changed. From April, only some bears can be hunted.
Previously, bears could be hunted from August to October. The Environmental Board issued permits for hunting bears that caused problems.
Now, bears can only be hunted in exceptional cases. For example, if bears pose a threat or cause damage.
The director of the Environmental Board says that bear hunting will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The number of bears must not be limited for population reduction. However, it may be necessary to hunt at the end of summer.
Managing the number of bears is necessary. Otherwise, problems will arise.
The European Commission says that Estonia has interpreted protection rules too strictly. The directive allows population control to avoid damage.
An advocate for bear rights says that the number of bears does not affect their behavior. Accidents can occur with both small and large bear populations.
The Environmental Board reports that humans and bears most often encounter each other in Ida- and Lääne-Viru counties and Central Estonia.