Adapting moose hunting: a case study on fragmented hunting grounds around Nuuksio National Park in Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland

Abstract

Ecological and social fragmentation of hunting grounds presents a challenge to the management of ungulate populations. We studied how the local groups of moose hunters (hunting clubs) have adjusted their hunting practices in the face of competing uses of the land in the Helsinki metropolitan area. We analyzed qualitative and quantitative data from the 11 hunting clubs operating around the Nuuksio National Park. Our theoretical approach was a blend from the social-ecological systems theory and pragmatist conception of habit. According to our findings, there are some key mechanisms of adaptation operative and functioning in this particular social-ecological system. First, we discovered various technical and tactical adaptations in how the actual hunt was exercised in the environment where the perturbations are frequent. We also identified the ways in which the hunters attempted to entrain their activities with the spatial and temporal rhythms of other users. Thirdly, we found out how the hunters also tried to influence the societal rules and the interpretation of existing rules. In the face of continuous fragmentation, the wildlife administration and management would benefit if the collaborative politics of becoming, i.e., prospective will for habit breaking and habit taking in perpetually changing environments, was exercised.