jakt

Jakt is the practice of pursuing wild animals for food, sport, or population management. In Scandinavian languages, notably Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, the word jakt denotes hunting, with jakt in Danish and Norwegian closely related to the Swedish term. The word is cognate with similar terms in other Germanic languages and traces to Proto-Germanic roots related to pursuit and chase.

Hunting traditions vary by country but commonly involve regulated seasons, licensing, and bag limits designed to ensure sustainable wildlife populations. Licenses may require training in safety, firearms handling, hunter ethics, and wildlife management. Methods include still hunting (stalking), drive hunting (teams and beaters pushing game), and, in some regions, the use of dogs, decoys, or traps. Firearms, bows, and occasionally other weapons are used depending on the species and legal rules. Ethical considerations emphasize respect for the animal, minimizing suffering, and avoiding waste.

Jakt serves multiple purposes: securing meat for some households, contributing to wildlife management by controlling populations that could harm habitats or crop yields, and offering recreational and cultural value in many communities. It can have economic importance through licensing revenues, equipment trades, and hunting tourism. Critics point to concerns about animal welfare, biodiversity impacts, and sometimes conflict with other land users or conservation goals. Policies typically aim to balance recreational use with ecological sustainability, habitat conservation, and public safety.

See also: hunting, wildlife management, hunter safety.