Estonia, one of the three Baltic republics, is attracting more and more hunters to its hunting areas, where many animal species can be established. Thanks to fauna conservation programs, in this country it is possible to hunt species that elsewhere are protected due to the small number. The natural environment and the landscape offer the hunter the opportunity to make an extraordinary and unique journey in the cold of northern Europe.
Among the most popular European destinations among the Italian hunting community, in recent years, is Estonia, the most Nordic of the three Baltic republics.
Tourist agencies are receiving more and more requests to organize hunting trips in this country, which offers the possibility of hunting many animal species in areas specifically dedicated to hunting. Estonia has an area of approximately 45.000 km2, most of which are covered by forests. The geographical borders are mainly drawn by the Baltic Sea, in which there are 1200 islands belonging to the Estonian territory.
Estonia, having a very low population density, has managed to preserve the natural landscape over the centuries outside the main inhabited centers, preserving its wild character and making it a particularly attractive country for hunting. The territory is flat and does not present particular difficulties for hunters, who wish to make long walks through the woods in search of game to be killed. In particular, the latter is considered among the most varied in Europe: among the ungulates European elk, roe deer, wild boar, red deer, wolves and even lynx are hunted, which in recent years have experienced a significant increase in numerical terms.
Another huntable species is that of the brown bear, which however can be established in specific areas in which, according to current environmental policies, the number is controlled to limit damage to the ecosystem.
As for migratory species, in Estonia it is possible to hunt woodcocks, snipe, ducks, geese, cesene and wood pigeons. As sedentary game to be joined to the migratory one, even if occasionally, partridges and hares can be hunted.
To understand well which are the areas where it is possible to hunt, we advise the reader to obtain a geographical map in order to better visualize names and locations. The areas intended for hunting are mainly found on the island of Hiiumaa and in the regions of Pärnu, Rakvere and Valga, where all huntable species are constantly monitored, in order to obtain constantly updated data on the number of specimens present.
In particular, the islands and coastal areas are a true paradise for woodcock hunting enthusiasts (in part also nesting) of which Estonia is very rich thanks to its strategic geographical position, ideal for stopping migratory movements from Finland and the Russia.
Only through a complex wildlife monitoring system has Estonia managed to create a balanced ecosystem.
Let's now see in detail the huntable species and hunting periods.
Woodcocks can be established from August to November. Estonia, not surprisingly, has become one of the favorite European destinations for hunting this wild. The recommended period is the month of October until the beginning of November. Woodcock is hunted exclusively with your own pointing dogs and snipes, geese and ducks can also be combined with the program.
Elk Europea is available from September to December. The moose is hunted on the hunt, by stalking, by hunt and by call. Particularly interesting is the hunt with call, which takes place during the mating period in the second fortnight of September, imitating the sound of the male.
The Bear is a wild game that can be killed starting from August until October. The bear hunts from a stakeout. Some data assert that in 2010 65 bears were killed in Estonia, always under the constant control of the managers of the hunting areas, in order to keep the number of animals in balance. In order to have a certain guarantee of sighting of a bear, a minimum of 3 hunting days is required, for which a limited number of licenses are issued. For this reason it is expressly recommended to make a reservation about two months before departure.
Roe deer can be hunted from June to December. The roe deer hunts from stalking, looking and calling. The best time for roe deer hunting is when it opens in June, a time when the grass is not too high yet.
The wild boar, on the other hand, is a species that can be hunted all year round, although it is recommended, as the best time, to make the hunting trip during the winter when the ground is covered with snow and it is easier to identify its footprints and position. Wild boars in Estonia are medium to large in size and trophies can be as large as 26cm.
Another fascinating species that can be preyed upon is the wolf, starting from November until February. The number of wolf specimens varies significantly from year to year. In recent years the number of wolves has witnessed a significant increase in the number and, consequently, the slaughter has also increased, always with the aim of keeping the ecosystem in balance. The wolf hunts in specific hunts, during which usually 2 or 3 specimens can be killed.
The same goes for the lynx, both in terms of time and in terms of number of specimens. The lynx is hunted in specific hunts with dogs.
The last huntable species is that of the red deer, which is available from September to January.
In Estonia, there are some of the largest red deer in the world. The best red deer trophies are hunted during the roar, at the opening of the hunt (15 September). Unlike other ungulates, red deer are concentrated only in some areas of the Estonian territory, mainly in the western part of the country and on the major islands.
Estonia is an emerging country among the best performing in Europe, from an economic point of view. In recent years this country is increasingly equipping itself to encourage tourism, including that for hunting purposes. As already mentioned a few lines above, there are serious and specific programs for the conservation and management of huntable and non-huntable fauna, with which a certain balance of the ecosystem is being achieved. All this has led to an increase in the number of specimens belonging to the huntable species, attracting many European hunters, who in this country discover new sensations during hunting trips.
As always, we invite hunters to inform themselves well about the legislation of the country in which they want to make a hunting trip, in order not to encounter unpleasant unforeseen events just before and during the trip itself.