Abstract

Topic: Moose management and monitoring

Promoting protective vests to facilitate hunting with dogs in Finnish wolf territories

Mari Susanna Lyly¹, Mikael Luoma², Mari Tikkunen³, Mikko Jokinen⁴, Juha Tissari⁵, Jenni Pirinen⁶

Finnish Wildlife Agency, Kampusranta 9 C, 60320 Seinäjoki, Finland
Finnish Wildlife Agency, Kampusranta 9, 60320 Seinäjoki, Finland
Finnish Wildlife Agency, Syväyksenkatu 1 B 27, 89600 Suomussalmi, Finland
Finnish Wildlife Agency, Porintie 9 B 6, 29250 Nakkila, Finland
Finnish Wildlife Agency, Kiekkotie 4, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
Finnish Wildlife Agency, Ratatie 41, 91501 Muhos, Finland

Abstract
During the early 20th century, Finland had very few wolves and consequently hunting with baying dogs grew highly popular. Nowadays, some 200 000 hunters and 80 000 dogs participate in hunting annually. Meanwhile, the autumn wolf population has grown to ca. 450 individuals. When dogs work solitarily over extensive areas to track wildlife, e.g. ungulates, they can become susceptible to wolf attacks. Depredation on dogs is a focal challenge in Finnish wolf conservation, as it evokes dislike and hatred towards wolves. The phenomenon affects not only those hunters whose dog gets killed or injured, but also many other hunters, who conform their hunting practices due to depredation risk. This in turn has large-scale societal repercussions on e.g., the capability of regulating game populations. Upon the arrival of wolves, the use of moose hunting dogs is often reduced, which can be seen from the extensive data covering moose hunting methods, time and efforts, provided by hunters themselves. Protective dog vests have not been widely used in Finland, as hunters have perceived them to be inconvenient and ineffective. To promote the use of puncture-proof, spike-covered vests in Finland, the LIFE BOREALWOLF project launched a trial of protective vest trial with 200 hunting dogs of various breeds. User experience was gathered via three mandatory surveys during Sep 2024–Feb 2025. Dogs grew more accustomed to wearing vests during the trial, but some 20 % of users reported their dog still being uncomfortable. Most dog owners perceived the vests to improve the dog’s safety and to buy time to intervene in an attack. Spikes were considered a slightly more effective protective feature than the protective material. Thermal regulation was a challenge during Aug–Oct, and in winter some struggled with build-up of snow. Some 80 % were likely or rather likely to recommend the vest to their peers, and 86 % opted for purchasing the vest at a reduced price. This trial has brought more information about the vests to many Finnish hunters and help to consider using them. Utilising project’s media outlets has helped to gain even further visibility among hunters.