Hunters voluntary work

In this work, we assessed the amount and monetary value of the voluntary work carried out by Finnish hunters in 2008. The assessment was conducted by means of an enquiry sent to the 298 Game Management Associations, of which 72% responded. Voluntary work focusing on nationwide game monitoring schemes was evaluated separately.

According to the enquiry, the total amount of active voluntary work in 2008 comprised 290 man-years. Hunters were on standby for a total of 1,800 man-years to assist in large carnivore emergencies. An estimated total of 40,000 hunters participated in voluntary work in 2008.

The value of the voluntary work was estimated at 7.1 million euros, 6 million of which consisted of salaries and fees. Compensation for expenses amounted to 1.3 million euros.

The Game Management Associations estimated that some 20,000 people performed voluntary work in game monitoring. Organizing shooting examinations required a voluntary work force of some 15,000 hunters as supervisors and assistants. Almost 5,000 volunteers assisted the authorities in sorting out traffic accidents involving moose, deer and large carnivores.

At the Game Management Associations the most time-consuming tasks were management and administration, amounting to nearly 70 man-years. Close to half of this amount was expended in monitoring game populations, resolving moose and deer collisions and organizing shooting examinations.

Voluntary work in nationwide game monitoring schemes was estimated at 89 man-years, of which observation of large carnivores made up 40 man-years. Filling in moose observation cards took up more than 28 man-years and the wildlife triangle monitoring scheme close to 20 man-years. Much less time was needed for waterfowl and field triangle counts. The value of the work was estimated at 1.2 million euros, of which observation of large carnivores accounted for 0.56 million. Part of this work is probably also included in the work reported by the game management associations.

Hunters and nature enthusiasts covered around 900,000 kilometres by car to carry out these nationwide game monitoring schemes. In all, 800,000 km of this was accounted for by observation of large carnivores. The travel costs of these game monitoring schemes were estimated at 390,000 euros.

Nearly 90% of the respondents assessed that the number of members in the Game Management Associations would remain stable or grow. However, over 40% thought that less voluntary work would be carried out in the future.