For the past year, SCA Skog, part of the SCA Forest Products business group, has been training all leaders of hunting parties that hunt on SCA’s land. This is being undertaken to increase safety in the hunting party and to develop the exchange of dialog between the company and hunters.
"This focus on training is necessary so that hunting party leaders will be aware of their rights and obligations," says Göran Tjernberg, production manager, Medelpad forest administration district.
Many of SCA’s forest administration districts have conducted various types of training of hunt leaders and last year the Medelpad district began training all hunting party leaders. Initially, about 180 hunting party leaders will be trained. The aim is that all leaders will have undergone training prior to the 2008 hunting season and thereafter to continue with opportunities to gather new hunting party leaders.
“This focus on training is necessary so that hunting party leaders will be aware of their rights and obligations. As a result of the hunting party leaders gaining increased knowledge about the expectations placed on them, the hunt becomes safer and more effective,” says Göran Tjernberg, production manager, Medelpad forest administration district.
Two-day training
During two days, the hunting party leaders are drilled about all aspects of the hunt and leading a hunting party. During the course, theory is mixed with practical training and they are trained in such topics as hunting laws, the role of the hunting party leader, proper handling of game meat and much more. The hunting party leaders are also trained in weapon and shooting safety and the best way to avoid wounding of game.
The Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management is responsible for the training, but representatives from SCA are also involved, among other reasons to discuss SCA’s views on hunting. Discussions also include moose grazing damage and how SCA works to reduce such damage to a more acceptable level.
“This initiative demonstrates that SCA takes responsibility and is serious. It has also become apparent that hunting is significantly better when the hunting party leader is trained. There fewer incidents of wounded game and less conflicts in the hunting party, since the training clarifies the hunting party leader’s role in a distinct manner,” says Göte Grubb from the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management.
Satisfied participants
Overall, the participants have also been highly satisfied. Evaluations were conducted after each course and nearly 100 percent were highly satisfied.
“I feel that I gained a lot from the training. You can always learn something new, while at the same time you gain confirmation about what you already knew. There are varying traditions in each hunting party, as a result of which you can learn from each other,” says Magnus Edlund, one of the training participants.