The ban on lead shot ammunition, the destruction of red deer adn their limitation, the decreasing number of hunters were just some of the topics that were discussed at the free seminar dedicated to hunters in Tulsa on December 6. The event was well attended, leaving not many empty seats in the hall.
The seminar discussed the particularly sad situation in Latvia with moose and roe deer, the number of which has decreased substantially in recent years. According to Haralds barviks, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian hunters’ Association, the moose hunting limits may have to be significantly reduced, if not in all of Latvia, then in certain regions, “and there are even places where hunting should be stopped altogether for two, three, five years… it has to be seen. » Also, in the dynamics of the number of deer, the estimated amount is very different from the hunted amount, it is related to the presence of predators. Hunters were asked to pay more attention to foxes, which often eat deer babies, often even adult ones. Invasive species such as golden jackal, mink, raccoon dog, sika deer, fallow deer and raccoon were recalled, most of which are recommended to be hunted year-round.
Wild boar population control
This year marked ten years as the first case of African swine fever was detected in Latvia, so the issue of wild boar control was also discussed.The vision of the Food and Veterinary Service to reduce the plague is chase away their number up to 1.5 wild boars per 1000 hectares and to maintain this number.”The disease itself is this number nodzenbut the task of hunters is to maintain this number,” says H. Barviks.
The rules for feeding forest animals will soon be changed, which will be more hunter-friendly in the future, and the price for trichinella (meat parasite) analysis of wild boars will be reduced. Rather of the previous 19.04 euros, the examination price of one wild boar sample will be 7.33 euros. Wild boars are recommended to be hunted intensively, “hunted roe deer, ribs in the refrigerator are better than rotting in the forest,” explains H. Barviks.
The destruction of red deer – a basis for unlimited hunting?
When asked if the hunters present support unlimited deer hunting, there were few hands raised in the hall, the hunters would like to continue the order they are used to. There has been a lot of hype about the damage done by deer. as one of the possible reasons for the damage, pressure by predatory animals, or attacks by predatory animals, under the influence of which animals concentrate in large herds, where they feel much safer, was mentioned. “It has also been scientifically proven and researched: animals cause much greater damage when the pressure of predators is greater. The animal needs to eat faster, more calorically rich food, this forces it to go to winter crops and rape crops and also to young crops,” said H. Barvik.
At the seminar, it was repeatedly emphasized that each forest animal population, concentration and damage caused should be evaluated in each region separately, without applying the situation to the whole of Latvia. “You shouldn’t measure the average temperature, currently Latvia is not densely populated by deer, you have to look at each specific place.” Damages must be evaluated objectively: where they are, how to prevent them and decide what to start.