Emsland: Hobby Hunters Put Up Wolf Warning Signs

Due to the increasing number of wolves, hobby hunters in Emsland have, according to NDR put up unauthorized warning signs.

The Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment said it was surprised by the measure.

Bordered in signal red, the signs read in large letters: «Caution! This is wolf territory!» Next to this, a wolf is depicted, followed by a set of behavioral guidelines. Visitors to the forest are advised to hold children by the hand, keep dogs on a leash, and only hike or jog in groups. One such sign is posted, for example, near a campsite in the Samtgemeinde Sögel, where children's and youth groups camp during the summer. Whether these dimwit hunters even know what a wolf looks like is debatable — the graphic doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

Mayor shows understanding for the signs

The local hunting association stated that the sign was intended to draw attention to the issue of wolves. They have put up additional signs. Warning signs about wolves have also been posted in the municipality of Newbörger. Mayor Ulrich Müller (Freie Wähler Newbörger) expressed understanding for the measure. He said he had nothing against wolves, but was concerned about children who spend time near forests, he told NDR in Lower Saxony.

Bewilderment at the Ministry of the Environment

The Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment was unaware of the signs, a spokesperson confirmed. The measures listed on them were not among those recommended by experts. According to these guidelines, for example, a dog in a wolf territory should obey voice commands, but is only required to be kept on a leash during the mandatory leash period from April to mid-July. According to the Ministry, people are free to move about without restriction. The fact that recreational hunters deliberately stoke fears with such actions is a well-known pattern in hunting lobby communications.