The issue of lynx hunting has recently attracted the attention of various institutions and a specific segment of the public. As a result, the State Audit Office published a report this year titled 'Are game species managed with foresight?', in which significant attention is paid specifically to lynx hunting. Several claims made by the State Audit Office are now being used by initiatives that aim to ban lynx hunting. Upon reading the report, it was concluded that certain facts in this document are presented incompletely, distorted, or important matters are omitted, thereby creating the impression that lynx hunting in Latvia takes place without justification. Here are just a few examples.
Broadcasts
Only 190 bears, but they're already walking through Latvia's towns, and a lynx attacks a house cat. Forest News #33
All that is left is to shoo the bear away! What to do if there is a bear in the shed? Forest news #30
No need to panic! Female bears with three cubs and angry, warring roe deer. Forest News #29
Lying by the roadside with a broken spine and in agony, but the wolves are howling! Forest News #28
Aggressive, dazed capercaillie cocks, herds of giant deer and cats at the lek. Forest news #27
This is no longer normal! I'm genuinely afraid to let the dog out of the house. Forest news #26
LVMI “Silava” podcast: #36 The forest from above: how remote sensing is changing forest science
The house cat was lucky to survive. The lynx is coming into the farmyard again. Forest News #24
How do you tell a wolf's track from a dog's? Wolves are not afraid of inhabited areas. Forest News #22
Lynx coming into the yard? People must learn to live alongside large predators. Forest News #21
When a bear tears apart a good-sized wild boar, a white deer and a lynx on the doorstep. Forest news #20
“Šauj garām!” episode #311. The law is not a coat to be flapped open whenever you fancy shooting at anything that moves
Dogs are not safe in their own yards, a virus is wiping out wild boar, a wolf guards its kill. Forest News #19
Dogs let out for a run have savaged sheep! Does the owner know what their dog is up to? Forest News #18
Watch out, there's a giant by the road! Bigger and more dangerous than an elk. Forest News #17
To kill – a brutal fight between bull deer, an amorous elk and a bison on the road. Forest news #16
When you run into a bison on a hunt, an elk with warts, and a lynx up against the bait! Forest News #15
Wolves will never attack... In Greece a wolf attacks a little girl, and the problem is growing in Europe. Forest News #14
“Šauj garām!” episode #301. In trouble over the elk, because the elk is to blame for everything – numbers will continue to decline
You're not seeing things! Those really are porcupines in Latvia, and white elk too. Forest News #13
Wolves attack a stag almost in the yard, a lynx catches a beaver and lands in trouble. Forest news #12
“Šauj garām!” #285 Amending the Hunting Law, and a compromise that leaves everyone unhappy!
Lynx catches a cat in a yard, bears almost climb into a boat, and a wolf pesters a moose. Forest News #11
The authorities are on holiday, residents are in shock, hunters are raising the alarm. A bear in Vilnius. Forest News #10
“Šauj garām!” #285 Hunters kept 400k euros in their pockets. Haralds Barviks and Juris Buškevics
A lynx in Dagda, a dog's cries for help as a wolf carries it off, and a bear attack on horses. Forest News #9
Bears in rut, eagle owls stealing storks, and a wolf wandering around Doles sala. Forest news #8
“Šauj garām!” #283 When Brussels shoots itself in the foot: the wolf is finally no longer a “sacred cow”
Pitchforks against a bear, border crossers and the first cub. On the bear situation in Lithuania! Forest News #7
Fending off a bear with an axe, sticking to marked trails and keeping your dogs safe. Forest news #6
Predators are losing their fear. A wolf breaks up a friends' party, and a dog escapes a lynx. Forest News #5
A lynx in a shed and six metres away, a coyote on the fence, the risk of attacks. Forest news #4
Witches' voices, the ravages of the plague and wolves prowling near homes. Forest News #2
“Šauj garām!” #273 Māris Liopa: “Hunters are not a militarised group carrying out specific tasks”
A fight to the death with a lynx, wolves attempting to attack people, and enormous herds of deer. Forest News #1
“Šauj garām!” # 272 Armands Krauze “Wolves are killing dogs, but hunters have become the hostages”
“Šauj garām!” extra # 45 Valters Lūsis: “Why is the deer population growing, and how is the culling quota being met?”
“Šauj garām!” # Episode 269 Juris Buškevics: “I am not satisfied with the results of the discussion with LVM!”
“Šauj garām!” episode #266. We don't want the nineties back, but oilseed rape is causing damage in the forest
Conference “Reducing bureaucracy in construction as a driver of the economy. Achievements and challenges in the sector”
How land-use sectors can operate and develop amid ever-increasing requirements and restrictions
“Šaujam garām!” episode #234. Māris Liopa: “It is good form to say that nature is dying!”
Wide of the mark! Episode #217 When the legislator is misled, but the public doesn't care
The burden of nature conservation requirements – an indicator of management changes in Latvia
“Discuss with Delfi”: Minister of Agriculture Didzis Šmits on sectoral policy and the Green Deal
A reminder: Shoot and miss! Episode 107. On a bleak future, illegal tourists and the shifting of toll regulations
The most discussed topic in society – forest management in Latvia
Episode 26 of the “Sālsmaize” podcast is dedicated to one of Latvia’s greatest natural treasures – its forests. It is common knowledge that forests are extremely important to Latvia and the Latvian mentality. To learn more about this significance, as well as how to develop the sector, what regulations need to be introduced, and how the situation will be affected by the European Green Deal, listen to this episode.
This discussion will be useful for almost everyone – from forest owners and entrepreneurs to those simply interested in the topic and friends of nature, as the conversation covers various aspects related to the forestry sector – from the situation in the production field and future climate targets and regulations, to recommendations on how to manage forests more efficiently and sell them more profitably.
Interview with Kristaps Klauss, Executive Director of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation
In Estonia, bears do not attack people and there are no problems. Is that really the case?
In Latvia, there is a view that bears do not pose a threat to people because there are supposedly many more bears in Estonia than in Latvia, yet there are no attacks or conflicts. There are no fatalities, but one cannot say that there are no conflicts.
An interview with Andres Lillemäe, Deputy Head of the Estonian Hunters' Society.
"Missed the mark!". Episode 113. On illegal shots, trichinellosis in canned meat, and the hunting castle
Practical tips to help the climate!
This week, the 'Forest Updates' segment of the 'Zaļais stūris' radio show hosted Daiga Zute, a European Climate Pact ambassador and researcher at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', to speak with Māris Olte and Jānis Kļaviņš. The topic of the conversation was highly interesting and timely – people's attitudes towards nature and practical tips to help the climate.
The potential impact of the nature census results on the forestry sector and the national economy
Missed the mark! Episode 81. "Are there more predators and which hunting dog breed should you avoid"
Wide of the Mark! Episode 85. "On the nocturnal ban, hunting locations and lethal bullets"
Nurseryman Andrejs Vītoliņš
Andrejs Vītoliņš is a fifth-generation horticulturalist. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Nurserymen Association, manager of the "Dimzas" nursery, a father of two sons, and the eldest brother in a family of five children.
The nursery has been operating since the last century. It received its name in 1959 and throughout its existence has become well-known among both specialists and enthusiasts. The nursery's motto is "Prestige cannot be bought!", as they only sell plants grown in Latvia, which are cared for without the use of intensive technologies.
Listen! Wide of the mark! Episode 78. "Bears. Why are there more of them, what to do, and how to coexist?"
76 years in a bunker
Military heritage is quite frequently encountered in the forests of Kurzeme. While carrying out logging operations in the Brocēni area, foresters were surprised by a well-preserved bunker that has most likely been there since 1945. Hidden in a forest clearing, which requires a long trek through deep tractor ruts with feet slipping on the snow of the passing winter, a still well-camouflaged surprise was uncovered.
Listen! Wide of the Mark! Episode 57. On the ban on driven hunts and tracking wounded animals
Listen! Wide of the mark! Episode 59. On purchasing cartridges, choosing ammunition and fair hunting
Listen! Take a shot! Episode 10+. "Tragedy in Viļaka. Report from the scene, analysis, expert opinion"
"Development problems and perspectives for the forestry and related sectors in an era of climate change in Latvia and Europe"
Listen! Wide of the mark! Episode 52. "On disobedient hunters, calling foxes and 200 metres"
Listen up! You're wide of the mark! Episode 34 "Lynxes, the State Audit Office and hunters' interests"
Listen! Should lynx hunting be banned?
A conversation about lynx with Jānis Ozoliņš, Dr. biol. The vulnerability of the lynx and monitoring results.
Listen! Wide of the mark. Episode 30 "I don't have a hunting group! Where should I hunt?"
Wolves and bears have multiplied in the Naukšēni area
Observations from farmers in the Naukšēni area suggest that the number of wolves in the vicinity has increased significantly of late. Furthermore, bears are being spotted much more frequently than in the past. Hunters speculate that the animals may be sharing territories and that bears are pushing wolves out of the forest.
We are renewing forests ever more...
Currently, 85 percent of the forest area planned for renewal this year has already been planted in state forests, according to information on the website of the state forest management company "Latvijas valsts meži". The company explains that the planting has progressed so smoothly because of favourable weather conditions since the start of the year, as well as the availability of labour. Private forest owners are also increasingly successful with forest renewal and new planting...
Data compiled by the State Forest Service shows that last year, private forest owners achieved an area of planted and sown forests not seen since Latvia regained its independence – 7.3 thousand hectares. This record-breaking volume of forest planting has also been boosted by training on forest management provided by the Rural Support Service's Forest Consultation Services Centre, according to the centre's director, Raimonds Bērmanis.
The director of the Forest Consultation Services Centre, Bērmanis, explains that forest seedling selection is quite well-developed here, and specially grown saplings grow faster. Therefore, the trees will reach maturity and be ready for harvesting sooner than naturally regenerated forests, where spruce can be felled after 80 years and pine after 100. Both of these coniferous species, as well as birch and black alder, are the most common in forest renewal, says Dagnija Lazdiņa, a leading researcher at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava".
Listen: are hunts necessary nowadays?
We evaluate various anti-hunting and pro-hunting arguments, and ask for the opinions of non-hunters. How significant is this activity in the life of each individual and to the hunting industry as a whole?
Listen about hunting traditions
Are hunting traditions necessary?
The fourth episode on traditions – what are the traditions practised by Latvian hunters, are they necessary at all, what do hunter greetings mean, we talk about hunting deities, about hunter attire and the everyday traditions followed by hunting clubs.
Discussion: How does public good become value?
The conference “How does public good become value?” organised by the association "Latvijas Formula 2050" in cooperation with the University of Latvia and SEB bank. A speech by Roberts Strīpnieks, Chairman of the Board of A/s “Latvijas valsts meži”, at the conference starting from 14:54.
Emissions from degraded peatlands in Latvia have been overestimated
To make policy decisions, we need information on the impact of our activities on emissions. Previously, everything was based on international guidelines which, as it turned out, are not accurate or appropriate for our circumstances. However, we will now be much better able to plan our economic activities in these peatlands. Although these results give us a better understanding of emissions in Latvia and we realise that emissions are lower than previously calculated, this does not mean that sectors can afford to emit more; that is not the case.
Use of firearms in hunting from the age of 16: hunters hope to involve the next generation in the profession
"In my view, the earlier they start to understand the requirements, what responsibilities they have, and not just the rights—the responsibility, specifically the responsibility—the better," says hunting course instructor Jānis Dzalbs, Senior Forestry Consultant at the South Latgale branch of the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre.
Jurģis Jansons, Leading Researcher at the "Silava" Forest Research Institute
Forest land covers a large part of Latvia's territory, which is why the question of how our forests are faring and what their future holds is always relevant. Our guest this evening on Monopols has the answers to these and other questions - Jurģis Jansons, Director and Leading Researcher at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"Jurģis Jansons
Uldis Ameriks - Chairman of the Board of SIA “Laflora”, Latvia's largest national peat extraction and processing company, a patriot of his country, a historical researcher, and a peat philosopher by calling
Latvijas Radio 1 "Zināmais nezināmajā" - Jānis Ozoliņš (10.10.)
The 10 October feature on natural meadows. Leading researcher at LVMI Silava, Jānis Ozoliņš, discusses meadow inhabitants - animals that use the meadows as a feeding ground.
Radio SWH "Forest Current Affairs" – Edgars Keičs (13.09.)
In the "Green Corner" programme on 13 September, the regular feature "Forest Current Affairs" features forester and forest owner Edgars Keičs.
Radio SWH "Forest Updates" – Māris Akalauris (06.09.)
In the "Forest Updates" segment of the 6 September edition of the "Zaļais stūris" programme, forester Māris Akalauris from the forest services corporate entity shares his insights.
Radio SWH "Forest Current Affairs" – Juris Zariņš (30.08.)
Forest owner Juris Zariņš featured in the "Forest Current Affairs" segment of the "Green Corner" programme on 30 August.