Moose - European elk (Alces alces)
Moose inhabited the Estonian territory already 9 000 years ago. Today, the multitude of moose in Estonia is optimal – 4-5 animals per 1000 hectares. The mating season lasts from the end of August until the beginning of October. The bulls fight among themselves, inseminating up to seven cows during the mating season. Gestation period lasts 7,5 months; in general the calves are born in May. The number of calves is 1-2, in rare cases 3. In autumn, the calves form 25-30% of the population. Adult animals weigh on the average 300-500 kilograms; the calves weigh around 100 kilograms. Natural enemies of moose are bear and wolf.The moose may be hunted by calling hunt, hunting from hides or stalking hunt from 15th September until 30th September, and by calling hunt, hunting from hide, stalking hunt or driven hunt and hunting with hunting dogs, except the hound, from 1st October until 15th December, from which hunting on bulls and cows from 15th September until 30th November and hunting on calves from 15th September until 15th December.
In the beginning of moose hunting when the mating season still lasts, the calling hunt imitating the bull’s voice is interesting. Most of the hunting district moose are hunted by stalking hunt that makes it possible to practice selective shooting. As a rule, the driven hunt is organized with dogs with the participation of many hunters.
In 2004, more than 1600 wild boars were counted in the RMK hunting districts; around 500 animals are hunted. The hunting of bulls covers 45% from the total hunting volume. Approximately 5% of hunted bulls qualify as medal winning trophies. Medal winning antlers may be already the four-pronged ones. Bronze medal goes to a trophy from 250 CIC points to 274,99; the silver medal from 275 CIC points to 299,99 and the gold medal from 300 CIC points and more. The best trophies are shot in West Estonia. Moose are hunted the most in the Kilingi-Nõmme and Nõva-Kullamaa hunting districts.