HUNTING IN SAVUKOSKI   

The history of hunting in Savukoski goes back hundreds of years. In earlier times, a family’s whole livelihood might be derived from hunting and fishing. In those days, a strong and daring hunter was held in great esteem by the whole community.

Despite the modern industrial exploitation of the forest and its products, conditions for hunting in the wilderness areas of Savukoski are excellent, particularly with the aid of hunting dogs. The meager undergrowth of the forest in Lapland increases game visibility while, at the same time, making increased caution of approach necessary. This serves to heighten the excitement of the hunt.

The most commonly hunted game bird is the capercaillie, which provides a challenge even for an experienced hunter. Snow grouse (willow ptarmigan) can be hunted equally well with or without a hunting dog. The stock of the black grouse has grown in recent years, which has made it now a more common catch than previously.

The wilderness areas of Savukoski have always been a home for big game as well. The bear is the prize of the hunting season, in spite of which its numbers are on the rise. Of the big game the moose draws the largest number of hunters both locally and from other parts of Finland. Among the smaller carnivores popular catches are the fox and the marten.

For its well-established hunting heritage and favourable bird dog conditions, the Municipality of Savukoski was named Finland's 'Pomeranian community' in 1998.