The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has proposed that the white-tailed deer be added to the country’s list of harmful species by 2030.
According to the NGO, the species is responsible for traffic accidents and is also known to cause extensive damage to crops and wild plants.
The white-tailed deer first appeared in Finland after being imported from North America in the 1930s, and has since become a respected destination for hunters. There are currently an estimated 109,000 animals in Finland, mainly in the southern and southwestern parts of the country.
The conservation group proposed removing restrictions on white-tailed deer hunting, which would not only increase the slaughter of animals, but also ease the bureaucracy involved in hunting animals.
It compared its current proposal to an amendment to the hunting law in 2005, when deer hunting was opened to a larger number of hunters.
But if the white-tailed deer were to be included in the list of harmful species, the group said measures should be taken to promote other species.
The hunting team objected
The NGO’s proposal has not received support from the Finnish Hunters’ Association, says the association’s CEO. Jaakko Silpola.
Silpola said that the white-tailed deer is a valuable game animal and turning it into a harmful species would not lead to the end result sought by the nature conservation association.
According to the hunter group, the current stock management system already requires hunting clubs to regulate both deer and deer populations as needed.
If the white-tailed deer were to be classified as an invasive species, the animals would fall into the same category as the mink, muskrat, and raccoon dog. In addition, no hunting permit or gun test would be required, and animals could be hunted throughout the year, including during the mating season.
Source: The Nordic Page