The wolf is a strong and dangerous wild animal, widespread throughout the territory of Ukraine, especially where there is a rich fauna. No predatory animal has ever caused so much harm and fear to man. The wolf, as a rule, lives in a pack, where a strict order and hierarchy reigns. His main food is wild and domestic hoofed animals, although he does not disdain and small mammals: and hares, and mice, and frogs, and in hungry times can feed on plant food. A pack of these mature predators successfully hunts large wild animals — moose, deer, wild boars. According to experts, each wolf consumes 5-7 kg of meat per day. The inordinate increase in the number of wolves (sometimes called «forest sanitarians») negatively affects the preservation and reproduction of forest and steppe fauna. Therefore, the state takes legislative and executive measures for the use and reproduction of wildlife, preservation and improvement of wildlife habitat, ensuring all conditions for the permanent coexistence of the entire species diversity of animals, establishing the optimal timing of the hunting season.
This year hunting for wolves in Ukraine is allowed until March 31, as already in April wild animals begin the breeding period. In many areas of the country there is a real invasion of these bloodthirsty predators. The situation is especially critical in Volyn region. Rich natural conditions in these places are extremely favorable for the reproduction of hunting fauna. There are many forests, tracts, rivers, lakes and swamps in Polesie, which are the habitat of bison, elk, deer, wild boars and other species of animals. Naturally, wolves feel at ease on these rich lands. Hunting in Polesie gathers many fans of this extreme kind of recreation from all regions of Ukraine and other countries. But the established ecological balance in the wildlife is threatened this year by the invasion of gray predators. The press service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine in early February 2012 reported that in Volyn is an acute issue of shooting wolves, whose population has increased significantly in the region due to animals from Poland, where hunting them is prohibited. It was stated that «this phenomenon may lead to the extinction of other wild animals in Volyn region …». Therefore, state forest protection workers and amateur hunters are involved in the fight against wolves. The wolf is a strong and dangerous animal, has good eyesight, smell and hearing, so hunting it is one of the most difficult and requires great endurance and coolness from the hunter.
The taken forced measures to regulate the population of this predatory animal should restore the ecological balance in the wildlife of the Volyn region.