If an animal is injured in a wildlife accident, the hunter is called by police to find and possibly kill the animal. Most of the accidents happen at night and the search can last for several hours.

But the compensation to the voluntary hunters, paid by the Swedish Transport Administration, is a lump sum. The same amount is paid regardless of how long the search takes. And the sums are modest.

"It is very low considering that we are available around the clock and sometimes are out the whole night," says Malin Westin, hunting hunter from Vaggeryd.

Peter Friberg from Jönköping is also a hunter and he agrees.

- You can compare with others who are summoned in the event of an accident such as salvage, rescue service or police. After all, they have their wages per hour.

Adjustment in progress

Peter Friberg, search hunter.

The levels for the search are determined by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the compensation for moose and wild boar is SEK 700 before tax. For deer, the sum is SEK 400. Mileage allowance will only be paid if the mileage exceeds five miles and no compensation is given for lost work income.

And this has been the case for almost ten years, despite the increase in the number of wildlife accidents. But now the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will review the system.

- We think there is reason to review the levels. They have been the same for a long time, says Hanna Dittrich Söderman, project manager at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

But despite the remuneration looking like it does, Malin Westin wants to continue to volunteer as a hunter.

- I don't want an animal to lie there and suffer unnecessarily, she says.