The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has set the number of bear hunting permits this year at 132. However the Finnish Wildlife agency has issued additional permits in areas with dense bear populations or where the bruins cause the most damage.
The Agency granted 45 additional hunting licenses to hunters in eastern Finland, while 36 extra permits were issued in central and southeast Finland. Hunters in southern and western Finland received 9 additional permits.
In Finland marauding bruins can cause grief particularly for northern reindeer herders. In these areas, the bear hunting quota is usually around 42 animals, however this year it has been set at 44.
The bear hunting season began Tuesday and will last until the end of October or until the quotas and extra permits have been filled.
