On the hunt with the Tyrolean fighter Wolfgang Stadlhuber: he is the master of the district of Wattental and one of the nearly 100 hunters who in theory are allowed to kill the “problem wolf” 158MATK.
The piece of paper called the firing order that is lined up at a desk is one side. The other side is the daily hunting practice in the woods between Weerberg and Schmirn. It’s about the “problem wolf” 158MATK. In 39 hunting areas, after 41 confirmed sheep kills, the animal was released for shelling according to the July 29 decision. The professional fighter talks about opportunities and mistakes.
„krone“: mr. Stadlhuber, do you spend all night hunting wolves in your area?
Wolfgang Stadlhuber: No, normal deer and red deer hunting continues. And no one has ever seen a wolf here on Wattenberg. Only once did one fall into a camera trap in an adjacent area. But that was two years ago.
So the chances of getting the wolf to the gun are slim?
Yes, that must be a happy coincidence. The wolf is smart and shy. It was originally eradicated using poison baits and traps, but these are not legal options today. Night vision goggles are also banned, but that wouldn’t help much anyway.
Would the fighters even want to shoot?
I would shoot and probably 80 percent of the other fighters too, but that’s just an estimate. Whether the shooter would make a big fuss about it and make it official is another question. Because as is known, there are fanatic people who do not tolerate the shooting of wolves.
Do you understand this attitude?
No, for I should pity a wolf less than the sheep, some of which are only torn and perish miserably. Where is the feeling for animal suffering and animal welfare in general?
In the Wattenberg area the sheep are in the valley, are there no more cracks?
Yes, now we find more and more dead deer. Four of the latter on the nearby Vögelsberg, three with us.
How will the situation develop?
The wolf and eventually the packs appear when feeding red deer. I fear that the game will then be pushed back into the young forests, where peel damage can be expected. Deer sightings have already decreased due to increased shyness.
So you’re pessimistic about the future?
In Switzerland, 40 percent of sheep farmers have given up and hunting areas and alpine pastures are also devalued by wolves in Tyrol. Livestock can also be the victim here in the summer. Honestly – I see black.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
