Latvia's red deer boom sparks urgent call for population control

A decade of unchecked growth has turned Latvia's red deer into an ecological and economic threat. Now, landowners and officials are uniting to reclaim balance before it's too late.

, and Administrator

2026 May 17 . 12:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a wooded landscape with a herd of deer in the foreground, surrounded by trees and... — The image shows a wooded landscape with a herd of deer in the foreground, surrounded by trees and plants. At the bottom of the image, there is some text.

Latvia's red deer boom sparks urgent call for population control

Latvia’s red deer population has grown sharply over the past decade, leading to rising damage in forests and farmland. With numbers now at 68,000 for the 2024/2025 hunting season, authorities are pushing for stronger measures to control their impact. A recent meeting brought together landowners and officials to tackle the issue head-on. The problem has worsened in recent years, particularly in Kurzeme, where deer numbers are highest. Farmers and forest owners in the region report heavy financial losses from crop and timber damage. Despite hunting quotas, only 77% of the allowed red deer were culled in the 2023/2024 season—a trend seen for over 20 years.

To address the challenge, the Ministry of Agriculture has called on landowners and managers to take action. A new Memorandum of Cooperation was signed at the meeting, setting the stage for joint efforts. Further talks will focus on practical steps to reduce deer numbers and limit their destruction. The red deer population has surged over the last ten years, placing extra pressure on ecosystems and livelihoods. Officials now stress the need for more effective hunting strategies and long-term management plans.

The agreement marks a first step toward curbing deer-related damage in Latvia. With hunting quotas consistently unmet, the focus now shifts to implementing concrete solutions. Farmers, foresters, and authorities will work together to bring the population under control and reduce economic losses.