Tampere to Resume Roe Deer Culls in Kauppi–Niihama and Myllypuro after Spike in Collisions

Tampere will resume targeted roe deer hunting this winter in the Kauppi–Niihama and Myllypuro areas to curb a rising urban deer population, YLE reports.

A sharp increase in roe deer has led to 110 wildlife collisions so far this year across the urban area (excluding Teisko and Aitolahti). That compares with 127 collisions for all of last year. "The main problem is wildlife collisions. Hitting a deer at high speed can lead to a serious accident," says Tampere's forest expert Jussi Järvinen. Deer also damage gardens and allotment plots and spread ticks, city officials say.

Hunting will use baited stand sites run with the local game management association and volunteer hunters, sited away from homes, trails and recreation areas. Monitoring with feeding stations and trail cameras is under way; officials say reliable movement data will only come once snow and frost reduce natural food sources. The hunt will begin after snowfall and continue until the season ends in February.

Operations will also include trapping invasive raccoon dogs. Residents are urged to remove fallen apples and avoid planting species attractive to deer to reduce damage.

The hunt follows regional measures aimed at reducing vehicle-deer collisions, including Pirkanmaa's recent winter speed limit changes Pirkanmaa speed-limit measures.