Across Europe, wolf numbers have increased significantly over the past two decades, and Germany is at the centre of this development. With at least 2,000 wolves now officially recorded, many regions are struggling with rising conflicts, from livestock depredation to declining public acceptance.

For Germany, the question is no longer if wolves should be managed, but how.

In this episode of FACE’s podcast We, the Hunters, we speak with Helmut Dammann-Tamke, President of the Deutscher Jagdverband (DJV), to discuss two major trends shaping the future of hunting and wildlife management in Germany and Europe:

• The necessity of wolf management. Germany’s wolf population has grown every year for nearly 20 years. With conflicts increasing and existing policy tools proving insufficient, Helmut Dammann-Tamke explains why Germany must add the wolf to its list of huntable species and start implementing active, science-based management, as already practiced successfully in several EU Member States.
• A surprising trend: the number of hunters is rising. Despite strict requirements and one of Europe’s most demanding hunting exams, Germany has seen a remarkable increase in new hunters over the past decade. We explore what is driving this cultural change: interest in sustainable food, biodiversity conservation, and a desire to be closer to nature.