Drenthe has its sights set on wolf GW4890m. After at least four attacks on sheep behind approved fences near Beilen, the province wants to have the animal shot. But before that happens, the predator could potentially remain on the loose for months.
At least, that is the experience in Gelderland. After a ‘problem wolf’ attacked a runner on the Hoge Veluwe in April, a shooting permit was issued a month later. But the animal, popularly called Hubertus, still walks around freely. The permit for shooting has now been extended until July 1 next year.
A week ago a wolf was shot dead on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. DNA analysis has yet to show whether this concerns ‘problem wolf’ Bram. But Bram, the wolf, also walked around for almost six months after he was declared an outlaw at the end of July. The animal had grabbed a 6-year-old boy at the Austerlitz Pyramid and dragged him with it.
The fact that it takes so long for a ‘problem wolf’ to be shot after a permit has to do with the regulations. According to the Dutch Hunters’ Association, shooting is almost impossible. There would be too many restrictive rules.
“It is a very complicated permit. It makes shooting a wolf very difficult,” says Ronald Peeks of the Drenthe branch of the Dutch Hunters’ Association. “For example, the animal may not be shot in the dark. But it is a nocturnal animal that generally does not move during the day. In addition, you have to be with three hunters at the same time, who must unanimously determine that it is the wolf in question.”
The latter alone makes it difficult. “If it is an average wolf in appearance, then you really have to look very closely.” There is also the question of where the animal is, Peeks knows. “A wolf can travel 150 kilometers in 24 hours.” And yet the animal may only be shot in a defined area.
If the wolf has been recognized by three hunters as the ‘problem wolf’ in question, direct shooting is still not allowed. A condition is that there are no other people or animals nearby to avoid disruption. If there are no others around, hunters must stalk the wolf using the bear hunting method. While stealthily using natural obstacles, hunters must approach game at close range.
Subsequently, shooting may only be done with a rifle with a silencer. A part that should not be used by average hunters.
How long it will take before the Drenthe ‘problem wolf’ is shot is partly due to the regulations. In any case, by issuing the ‘problem wolf’ label, the province has taken a first step in the process that should lead to the shooting of wolf GW4890m. The next step is to draw up a severance permit.
Does this make it definitive whether the predator is allowed to be hunted? No, because that is what the judge decides. He will decide whether the animal has rightly received the provincial stamp.