Poland: Game wardens catch Danish hobby hunter

A hobby hunter from Denmark was arrested by police on Thursday, 2 August 2018, in the forests near Anielin in Poland.

Game wardens had previously stopped an off-road vehicle carrying 2 men. Upon inspection, it was found that a local, registered hobby hunter had brought along a Dane without valid documents to join in the merry killing of animals.

Illegal silencer and roe deer carcass

During the inspection of the vehicle, an illegal silencer on a rifle was also confiscated. This type of weapon accessory is considered particularly dangerous in Poland. A special permit is required, and hobby hunting with such accessories is strictly prohibited.

A roe deer carcass was also discovered in the cargo area of the off-road vehicle. The game wardens immediately notified the police, who confiscated the Dane’s weapon and arrested the hobby hunter. Charges were brought before the public prosecutor’s office in the town of Łask for illegal hunting and possession of prohibited weapon accessories. The 41-year-old Dane pleaded not guilty. A security deposit of 3’000 zloty was ordered as a precautionary measure.

The hobby hunter from Poland will likely also face charges for failing to register the deer anywhere and for accompanying an unauthorised «foreign currency hunter». Under the terms of the hunting law, the man allowed an unauthorised person to hunt, writes the Online portal Dziennik.

New hunting laws in Poland

Foreign hobby hunters in Poland come mainly from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and France. However, new hunting laws have been in force since 1 April 2018. For example, it is prohibited to take children and young people under 18 years of age on hobby hunting trips.

The new hunting law primarily strengthens the rights of landowners. They will now be able to have their land declared hunting-free from hobby hunter groups without giving reasons.

Poland has approximately 38.5 million inhabitants with around 120’000 registered hobby hunters. Acceptance of their hobby is low. According to a 2016 survey, only 10% support this hobby hunting. More on crime and hobby hunting.