Why Fieldfare Hunting Should Return: Swedish Hunters Association Explains

Following the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reintroduce fieldfare hunting, a lively debate has emerged on social media. The topic is interesting from a principled perspective, though discussions often become emotionally driven rather than fact-based.
"Unfortunately, such discussions become controlled by emotions and therefore loud. If we're going to discuss hunting seasons, the question needs to be raised to a holistic perspective where facts form the foundation," said Anders Nilsson, National Hunting Conservation Consultant.

📅 Hunting History and Recent Changes
Fieldfare hunting has been a natural element in the Swedish hunting calendar until the last review of hunting seasons, which took effect in 2021. At that time, the species was removed from permitted game. Until that day, hardly anyone outside the hunting community cared that the bird could be hunted.
"You should know that relatively few hunters would hunt fieldfares. In 2018, approximately 600 birds were shot. The bird provides fairly little meat, but it is good," said Anders Nilsson.
The argument that fieldfare doesn't provide as much meat as species like capercaillie has been one of the main points raised against hunting. However, using shellfish as an example reveals the unreasonableness of this argument.
"We don't stop eating shrimp just because lobsters are larger," Anders Nilsson noted.

🐦 Population Statistics and Breeding Data
The fieldfare is a common bird species in Sweden. Approximately 590,000 breeding pairs are estimated to exist nationwide. These pairs lay between three and seven eggs per clutch. During the 20th century, the population grew in size but has subsequently decreased somewhat in numbers.
The Swedish Species Information Centre (ArtDatabanken) has classified the bird as "Near Threatened" on the Red List due to the population decline. This classification has become a central point in the debate over hunting permissions.
"Precisely like many other bird species, there is significant natural mortality annually for fieldfares. This mortality is caused by diseases, predators, starvation, and similar factors. Approximately as many fieldfares die annually as existed before breeding season. In Sweden, around 1.2 million birds," explained Nilsson.

📊 Hunting Impact vs Natural Mortality
In the years before fieldfare was removed from the hunting calendar, just over 600 birds were shot annually. Hunting mortality accounted for approximately 0.05 percent of total population loss.
"Facts show that hunting does not affect the population size. Changes are controlled by entirely different factors," said Anders Nilsson.
He expands his reasoning by using moose as an example. The moose population is only a quarter the size in terms of numbers and is also heading toward Red List classification. A decisive difference is that hunting controls moose population size. Using the same logic, moose hunting should be removed.
"Decisions regarding wildlife management must be based on facts. Emotion-based opinions make it impossible to create a consistent system. This is also why we believe the Red List should not be used when reviewing hunting seasons. It measures changes in population sizes. This is important data. But it is often irrelevant when discussing hunting seasons."

🎯 Government Authority and Hunter Rights
"It is the government in the end that decides hunting seasons. For me, it is obvious that we should be able to hunt fieldfare. If a hunter wants to prepare a couple of fieldfares, this is fantastic. It does not affect the population but is a wise utilization of a renewable resource," said Anders Nilsson.
The Swedish Hunters' Association emphasizes that hunting represents sustainable use of wildlife resources when populations remain healthy. Traditional game birds have been part of Scandinavian hunting culture for centuries, with recipes and preparation methods passed down through generations.
Fieldfare meat is considered a delicacy in several European countries including France, Belgium, and parts of Germany. The birds are typically roasted whole or used in traditional game stews. Proper preparation requires careful plucking and gutting, with many hunters recommending marination to enhance flavor and tenderness.

🌍 European Hunting Context and Comparisons
Fieldfare hunting remains legal in multiple European countries with healthy populations. Finland permits fieldfare hunting during established autumn seasons, with annual harvests exceeding 50,000 birds without population concerns. Norway allows limited hunting in specific regions where populations remain robust.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the fieldfare as "Least Concern" globally, with an estimated European population exceeding 15 million breeding pairs. This international perspective suggests Swedish restrictions may be more conservative than necessary based on actual population viability.
Migration patterns bring millions of fieldfares to Sweden annually from northern breeding grounds in Norway and Russia. These wintering birds supplement the resident breeding population, creating additional harvest opportunities without impacting local breeding success rates.