Estonian hunters believe that bear population control needs to change. Currently, the exact number of bears is not known. This makes hunting management difficult.
Hunting advisor Marko Vinni says the number of bears is higher than official data shows. The Environment Agency estimates there are about 1000 bears in Estonia. Hunters believe there are nearly 1500.
Vinni doesn't know why official numbers are lower. Courts use this data when making decisions about bear protection.
Estonia must follow EU and Berne Convention rules. These rules govern how bears should be protected. Vinni says Estonia forgot to apply for an exception in 1992.
The Environment Agency recommends hunters should cull about 100 bears. But so far only four hunting permits have been issued. Special permits were issued two weeks ago, but no bears have been hunted yet.
Vinni says hunters work for nature's benefit. They want to maintain balance in nature. If one species becomes too numerous, it may harm other species.
Hunters are convening a roundtable. They want to conduct more DNA studies. This will help better understand bear numbers and diversity.
There's also NGO Suurkiskjad in Estonia. This organization wants stricter control of bear hunting. Vinni believes excessive protection may be harmful to bears.
Hunters are in talks with NGO Suurkiskjad. But Vinni says reaching a compromise is difficult.