A Finnish court convicted a hunter for seriously wounding a bear he mistook for a wild boar. The 59-year-old man used a rifle equipped with a thermal camera sight during a legal hunting trip in Parikkala, Southern Karelia. He observed a large animal about 70 meters away through the thermal scope and fired, believing he was targeting a wild boar. The bullet struck a brown bear, causing such severe injuries that the animal had to be euthanized.
The hunter spent one night in police custody and faced charges for a hunting violation. He admitted shooting the bear but denied committing a crime, claiming he acted by mistake rather than carelessness or intent. The defense emphasized his experience as a long-time hunter who immediately took responsibility and reported the incident.
Despite these arguments, the District Court found the hunter guilty of gross negligence. Judges ruled he violated the heightened duty of care required when handling firearms during hunting activities. The court noted the hunter had been informed about bears in the area and knew they were protected. He had even briefly considered the possibility the animal might be a bear before shooting.
Finland's hunting regulations place strong emphasis on target identification. The country maintains strict protections for brown bears, which are considered a vulnerable species. Thermal imaging scopes remain controversial in Nordic hunting circles, permitted only under special licenses for specific game like wild boar and white-tailed deer.
This case highlights the challenges of modern hunting technology. Thermal scopes can make animal identification more difficult despite their advantages for detecting movement. The court specifically noted that the hunter's lack of experience with bears actually increased his responsibility to properly identify the target, not lessened it.
The sentence included 40 day-fines, reduced by three days for time already served in custody. The financial penalty totaled 1,480 euros. Prosecutors dropped their original demand for compensation for the bear's value to the state.
This incident occurs amid ongoing debates in Nordic countries about balancing hunting traditions with technological advancements and wildlife conservation. Similar cases of mistaken identity have occurred in Sweden and Norway, where bear populations also require careful management. The conviction sends a clear message about responsibility in hunting, particularly when using advanced equipment that might complicate rather than clarify target identification.