Impact of predator removal on predator and mountain hare populations in Finland

The impact of predator removal on predator and mountain hare (Lepus timidus ) populations was studied in southern, eastern and northern Finland in 1993 -1998. In predator removal areas predators were intensively hunted, and in predator protection areas hunting was prohibited. Both predator (red fox Vu lpes vulpes, pine marten Martes martes, stoat Mustela erminea and raccoon d og Nyctereutes procyonoides) and mountain hare populations were monitored i n the study areas. Fox and marten populations were affected by predator rem oval/protection in eastern and northern Finland but the effect was not as e vident in southern Finland. The stoat population was not affected by remova l, but the raccoon dog population was to some extent. Trends in hare popula tions were similar in the removal and protection areas, indicating that loc alized control/protection of predators did not affect hare numbers. Hare po pulation even increased in the protection area of northern Finland although predator numbers increased and vole numbers declined.