The licensed lynx hunt in Östergötland concluded on March 31, 2026, with five lynx reportedly shot during the hunting period. According to SVT Nyheter, the most recent animal was a reproductive-age female shot over the weekend, which led to the cancellation of hunting in the southern part of the county.
Jim Forsberg, wildlife manager at the County Administrative Board of Östergötland, stated that the hunt was originally scheduled to begin on March 1 but faced legal challenges from several environmental organizations. After the Administrative Court of Appeal gave the green light, the hunt commenced on March 17.
Given the conditions - no tracking snow, a hunt that has been delayed and postponed - the hunt seems to have gone well
"Given the conditions - no tracking snow, a hunt that has been delayed and postponed - the hunt seems to have gone well," Forsberg said.
According to the county administrative board, there are approximately 50 lynx in Östergötland. The decision for 2026 allocated eight lynx for licensed hunting, though only five were reportedly taken. The hunt faced opposition from environmental groups including the Nature Conservation Association in Kinda and Ydre, whose chairman Kjell Bäcklund has documented lynx tracks in the area.
Forsberg noted that over a 10-15 year period, lynx have shown a positive population trend in the region, with the population stabilizing following a larger harvest in 2023 intended to break the increasing trend.