Wild boar management Hungary

G. Rácz Fodor chief advisorDep. of Forestry, Fishing & Hunting

Division of Hunting Min. of Agri.

V. Hunting Directors Prague, CZ.

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Wild boar estimate in Hungary 1960-2013.

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Wild boar is the most problematic species

• Since 2004 all year open season, no restriction for adult females (sows) in spring – unethical possibility

• Shooting with slugs (shotgun) and rifle ok.• Night hunting possible (for fox and pig only)• Permission for lamping generally given

– Pig venison prices are relatively low (1-1,3€/kg+VAT.)

• Agricultural damage nominally increasing ~8 million € - 2013. (No proper payment method) Reproductive success – less mortality, climate change? Hunters do not cooperate, more pigs > more to hunt to sell

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No result so far! What to do?• New methods of hunting should be introduced?

Semi autumatic rifles, silencers, heat camera scopes How far should we allow high technology in tratditional hunting? Only professional hunters? New act enables night vision to

professional hunters.• Stop feeding of pigs?

– Can it be effective?– Feeding only in traps for capturing the pigs? Means of control?

How can we persuade hobby hunters to cooperate & understand?

Nowdays they give up small game territories for wild pig hunting!

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Open questions still1. Give compulsory quota for regions to harvest every

year2. Annual planning quota open from top (only minimum

given)3. Sanctions for not harvesting the minimum4. State action by specialist groups to do culling on

behalf of the authority? Public money needed for the action.

1. 2. and 3. already inforce in Hungary.

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Boar Harvest 1998-2014

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• Data provided by: National Game Management Database.

• Thank You for Your Attention!