Deer population declines in Varsinais-Suomi region of Finland due to intensified hunting efforts

In the Metsämaa area of Loimaa, the white-tailed deer finds an abundant food supply in the fields and lush forests. Finland’s southwestern region, Varsinais-Suomi, is home to the country’s largest and most comprehensive population of these deer, with a density approaching 40 individuals per 1,000 hectares in Metsämaa and nearby areas. However, recent changes have been noted.

Antti Kauppi, chairman of the local hunting club, highlights a decline in deer collisions and a noticeable reduction in deer sightings in fields. The Finnish Game Agency corroborates this, estimating that the white-tailed deer population in Varsinais-Suomi has decreased by about 20 percent over the past year, roughly translating to a reduction of 4,000 to 5,000 individuals. This marks the first significant drop since the population surge that began in the 1990s.

Kauppi attributes the change to intensified hunting efforts, with over 20,000 deer being harvested annually in recent years. The focus has shifted towards culling more females to reduce the fawn yield. This method appears effective, as deer-related accidents have also dropped. There were 702 collisions reported between January and July, approximately 150 fewer than the same period last year.

The situation in Varsinais-Suomi reflects a national trend, with data from the Natural Resources Institute Finland indicating an overall decrease in the white-tailed deer population across the country. As the hunting season unfolds, authorities aim to monitor the population further, while some suggest that ending supplemental feeding could aid in controlling growth rates, as it currently improves the condition of female deer. The hunting season for deer officially begins at the start of September and lasts until mid-February.