The moose hunting season in Latvian forests has been extended by one month. The Hunting Department of the State Forest Service (VMD) points out that the population of these animals is too high and must be controlled. Representatives of Latvijas valsts meži (LVM) believe that much more radical action is needed – not only must the moose population be reduced, but the deer population is also increasing so rapidly that two-thirds of young trees in pine plantations are being deformed and will never grow into tall, healthy pines.
“One tree, two trees, three trees, four trees… almost every single tree has damage to its bark,” says Edijs Leišavnieks, Head of the Protection Department at Latvijas valsts meži, as he demonstrates a pine forest in the Ugāle area that has been suffering for many years from herds of deer and moose. These trees have grown somewhat, and the gnawed scars have partially healed, but they will never again grow into fully viable timber.