Varggropen i Gillbonderyd

Wolfs used to be a big problem for the people living in the forest villages. The wolf was primarily a threat against the village’s livestock so therefore was it hunted actively. The wolf pit method was a common way to hunt the wolfs. The wolf pits were about 3 meters deep and a couple meters in diameter. After the pit was dug it was covered with sticks and branches. In the middle of the pit was a small animal, like a hen or a cat, placed. When the wolf was captured it was usually beaten to death with stick and clubs.

Today are there not so many wolf pits left in the Swedish landscape. That’s because it was most common to line the pits inside with wood that rot quickly. The ones that are left were lined with stone.

Information from: Länsstyrelsen i Kronobergslän (2015). Sevärda ruiner i Kronobergslän.