Swedish Hunters Association disputes illegal wolf‑hunting claims in Gävleborg

The Swedish Hunters Association (Svenska Jägareförbundet) says illegal wolf hunting is unacceptable and harms both hunter trust and wildlife management. It criticises a recent article and researcher Håkan Sand for drawing conclusions about illegal wolf killings on the basis of speculation rather than verified data. The association demands that Sand provide empirical evidence for his statements, warning that unsubstantiated claims can mislead the public and polarise the debate.

The association also notes that the lack of reproduction among many immigrant wolves does not prove illegal hunting, as wolves may die from natural causes, disease, traffic accidents or migration. It calls for the discussion on the Gävleborg wolf population to be based on solid, locally‑grounded data.