The Wild Samsø
They are almost everywhere, the animals on Samsø. In the woods, in fields, on the moorland, in the hilly landscape. Sometimes you can see them from your car dashing across the road. And if you are very quiet, you may be lucky to get very close to them when you moving around in nature.
Feathered and Furred
”Samsø is one of the very best places for game in Denmark. Partly because the nature is very varied and partly because many landowners have focused on creating perfect living conditions for game. The island’s farmers, in particular, who are often hunters themselves, are industrious in establishing water holes, game friendly premises, game fi elds, and maize strips, i.e. what we call biotope and game management”, according to Simon Østergaard, gamekeeper at Brattingsborg Gods.
This means that almost all kinds of game thrive on Samsø. ”We have large numbers of pheasant, fox, partridge, stone marten and ducks, and we estimate that there are approximately 2000 pieces of roe deer and 200-300 fallow deer on the island”, says Søren Jørgensen, president of Samsø Jagtforening.
The large population makes it easy to spot deer if you just keep your eyes open. ”If I am to point out a couple of places where the probability of observing roe and fallow deer is best, I would say that you should keep an eye on the windbreak belts on the fi elds and in the area near Nordby Moor. Game birds are often easier to spot, and it is my guess that almost all visitors to Brattingborg Skov have seen pheasants”, Simon says.
The Hunt and the Meat
Every year, about 1,200 roe deer are shot on Samsø. It may sound of a lot, but it is necessary in order to regulate the population to a sound level. Most of the game ends up in the hunters’ freezers, but the long-term perspective is that visitors to the island should also get a chance to dig their teeth into the game of the island. ”We have got our own Samsø Slaughterhouse and this gives us a chance to slaughter game for resale. Hopefully, the island’s restaurants will be interested in putting local game meat on the menu. Game is both tasty, healthy, and sustainable. The meat comes from animals which live in nature and have had a good life”, Simon explains.
Both Simon and Søren assure us that it is safe to walk in Samsø’s nature without being shot. ”When hunting is taking place in the woods, it will be clearly marked on signboards, and in addition, most hunters like to chat. So if you meet a group of hunters with guns over their shoulders, it’s okay to be curious”, Søren says.
If you run into a deer that survives
Call Dyrenes Vagtcentral on 1812. Dyrenes Vagtcentral will then contact one of the local dog handlers who, as soon as possible, will come out to the animal. If possible, stay with the animal. If this is not possible, mark the place to help the handler find the animal.
If you run into a deer that is killed in the accident
Call Samsø Rescue Service on +45 8659 1788.
If you fancy shooting yourself
You can book clay pigeon shooting at Shoot Centre Harpeshøj. You must be a group of at least 5 people. It costs 150 DKK per person for 25 clay pigeons, instruction, and cartridges. Booking with Arne Jensen by phoning +45 2320 1346 or Søren Jørgensen on +45 4031 3431. At the shooting center, hunters with a hunting certificate can borrow guns for clay pigeon shooting.
Last updated: 26/08/2020 11:19
