The State Forest Service has compiled data on the number of ungulates culled during the 2021/2022 hunting season. The number of moose and roe deer culled in the past season has decreased, while the number of red deer and wild boar has increased.

During the 2021/2022 hunting season, 6,521 moose were culled, representing 77% of the permitted cull limit. In comparison, 7,163 moose, or 79% of the limit, were culled in the 2020/2021 hunting season. The highest number of moose last season was culled in the South Latgale forestry unit of the State Forest Service, while the lowest was in the North Kurzeme forestry unit. Data indicate that the moose population in Latvia is starting to decline; therefore, the State Forest Service has reduced the moose cull limit for this hunting season, with 7,898 animals permitted to be culled. The Service estimates that there are currently 21,000 moose living in Latvia.

In the 2021/2022 hunting season, 24,047 red deer were culled, or 84% of the limit. This represents an increase in both the number of red deer culled and the achievement of the limit—in the 2020/2021 hunting season, 20,524 red deer were culled, or 82% of the limit. The highest number of red deer were culled in the Zemgale forestry unit, and the lowest in the East Latgale forestry unit. Data show that the growth in the red deer population, which had been observed in Latvia in previous years, has stalled. The Service estimates that there are currently around 70,000 red deer in Latvia, and their cull limit has been increased to 30,960 animals to reduce damage to agricultural and forestry crops.

The number of roe deer continues to increase, and it is estimated that there are currently around 206,000 roe deer living in Latvia. In the 2021/2022 hunting season, 35,344 roe deer were culled, which makes up 59% of the limit. This represents a decrease in both the number of roe deer culled and the percentage of the limit achieved—in the 2020/2021 hunting season, 37,730 roe deer were culled, or 66% of the limit. The highest number of roe deer were culled in the Zemgale forestry unit, and the lowest in the North Kurzeme forestry unit. This season, roe deer have become a non-limited game species, although they may only be hunted in registered hunting grounds with an area of at least 350 ha.

In the 2021/2022 hunting season, 24,485 wild boar were culled in Latvia, or 76% of the limit. Previously, 19,262 wild boar were culled, which made up 72% of the limit. The highest number of wild boar were culled in the South Latgale forestry unit, and the lowest in the South Kurzeme forestry unit, where the impact of African swine fever has been particularly noticeable. According to the State Forest Service's assessment, the number of wild boar in Latvia is currently stable—in both the past and present hunting seasons, the number has been around 26,000. It should be noted that the State Forest Service assesses the size of the wild boar population in the spring, but after the breeding season, the actual number of wild boar can become significantly higher. Wild boar have also become a non-limited game species this hunting season. In order to continue the fight against African swine fever, the State Forest Service has set a minimum wild boar cull volume, and at least 26,575 wild boar must be culled in Latvia this season.
Photo by Konsta Punkka used