A new study published on March 5, 2026, reveals that hunting has a greater impact on moose populations than predators in Scandinavian wolf territories. According to research from Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU), hunting accounts for an average of 17.5% of moose mortality each year in the 20 wolf territories studied across Scandinavia. In comparison, wolves account for 8.7% and bears for 2.3% of moose deaths.
The study, led by wildlife ecology researcher Håkan Sand at SLU, found that hunting generally has the greatest effect on moose populations in the examined wolf territories. However, the research also showed significant variation between different territories, with the outcome depending largely on bear density in each area.
hunting generally has the greatest effect on moose populations in the examined wolf territories
In five of the studied wolf territories, wolves and bears together killed more moose than hunters did during hunting seasons. According to the researchers, in these areas, predator impact could have significant implications for determining sustainable long-term hunting quotas. The study examined how many moose are killed by wolves, bears, and hunters across Scandinavian wolf habitats.
Sand noted that while there was considerable variation in the number of moose shot in the wolf territories studied, this had no clear correlation with the estimated take by bears and wolves. Hunting harvests were not generally lower in areas where predators took more moose, according to the research findings.
in these areas, predator impact could have significant implications for determining sustainable long-term hunting quotas
while there was considerable variation in the number of moose shot in the wolf territories studied, this had no clear correlation with the estimated take by bears and wolves
Hunting harvests were not generally lower in areas where predators took more moose