Hunting: Abruzzo, a project to establish courses for the qualification for specialist hunting of the Woodcock.
The specialist woodcock hunting project is becoming a reality in Italy. The idea, the result of the common intentions and the fruitful collaboration between Beccacciai d'Italia and Club della Beccaccia, includes, among the many points inherent in scientific research applied to hunting, that of training woodcock-monitors of the species: open hunting through the surveys on the sampling, as well as closed hunting through the monitoring activity with the use of pointing dogs to be carried out until the end of March. The aim of the project is to pave the way for the necessary specialization to carry out this type of hunting, to make the collection of the species sustainable throughout the Italian territory and to give the possibility to specialized hunters to become monitoring operators even outside the hunting period. The training of the monitors passes through the compulsory attendance of woodcock specialization courses that issue a specific qualification.
The Abruzzo Region was the first to start in Italy by inserting the figure of specialist hunter-woodcock monitor in the current Hunting Calendar (Del.GR n ° 561 of 29/07/2013). This qualification becomes mandatory in the regional territory for carrying out winter and spring monitoring activities on specific areas that will be surveyed by the territorial bodies in synergy with the ATC and local hunting associations, providing for the possibility of carrying out monitoring even in areas off-limits to hunting activities, subject to the authorization of the bodies in charge. In the future, the qualification could also allow the eventual hunting sampling beyond the normal periods foreseen by the calendar for the species.
It should be emphasized that this result is the result of the foresight and competence of the Abruzzo Region, in the institutional figures of the President Giovanni Chiodi and the councilor for hunting Mauro Febbo, the assiduous mediation of Giuseppe Savini, consultant of the councilor, of the manager of the Agriculture sector. Hunting and Fishing Luigi De Collibus and the official of the wildlife-hunting planning office Franco Recchia. An important collaboration between institutions and government difficult to find in Italy today.
Chieti has led the way.
As well as the commitment and will of the ATC Chietino-Lancianese (in the person of its president Corrado Di Nardo and his staff), the first Italian ATC that took the courses on 12 and 13 July. Courses that have been validated and recognized by ISPRA, within a new path of full collaboration between the institution and specialist associations for the affirmation of sustainable hunting, based on a module of minimum 16 hours, organized in at least two training days with morning and afternoon lessons of 4 hours each.
ISPRA has also validated the names of the teachers on the basis of their curricula and on the rigorousness of the organization which provided for the registration of students entering and leaving the individual sessions. The same applied to the teachers who drew up minutes on attendance, on the topics covered and on the final outcome of the exam consisting of about 20 multiple choice questions. The courses are divided into modules:
Module A: biology of the species about 10 hours frontal lessons in the classroom.
I. Systematics and geographical distribution; Populations and DNA; Status of the species;
II. MORPHOLOGY (General morphology and variability of the main characters; Plumage and moult; Digestive system; Senses and ways of communication; Anomalies of shape and color);
III. PRESENCE INDICES;
IV. ECO-ETHOLOGY (Habitat - use, variations, specific ecological function of forest ecosystems, role and importance of open areas; Vital area; Phenology - reproduction, wintering, migration, orientation; Nutrition; Limiting factors - climate, habitat variations, predation , pathologies and accidents, Hunting; Population structure and dynamics - mortality and survival based on ringing data);
V. RECOGNITION OF SEXES AND AGE (Male or female; Young or adult; Analysis of the usable criteria; The "reading" of the wings: basic notions * (NB).
Module B: study and management of the species about 5 hours frontal lessons in the classroom.
YOU. STUDY FOR MANAGEMENT PURPOSES (Collection and analysis of biological samples; Ringing; Radiotracking and more; Counts (monitoring);
VII. WITHDRAWALS (Law 157/92; Community Regulations; Types of hunting in Europe; Hunting calendars; Hunting tourism; Extent of sampling; Scheduled hunting and hunting on a sampling plan; PMA and PMG);
VIII. MANAGEMENT CRITERIA (Theoretical; Prudential; Applied - habitat management, hunting management; Importance of protected areas; Frost wave protocol; Protected areas monitoring protocol; Various EU, ISPRA, ONCFS management documents).
Module C: hunting techniques and dog lovers about 5 hours frontal lessons in the classroom.
I. VENATORY ETHICS AND APPROACH TO WOODCOCK HUNTING (Hunting alone; The value and expression of the dog & hunter binomial; “Sustainable” means and tools; “discreet” sampling);
II. WEAPONS (Tilting; Semi-automatic; Calibers);
III. THE CARTRIDGE (Elements of smooth barrel ballistics - speed, weights, shot pattern, coverage and dispersion; Types of suitable ammunition);
IV. THE SHOT (Technique and execution of the shot - folds and deflections of the kick, training; Positioning; Safety);
V. CINOGNOSTICS (Pointing and hunting breeds; Pointing breeds - English breeds, continental breeds; Morphological and working standards in pointing breeds - seeking, spun, firm, guided, consent, carryover);
YOU. CINOFILIA VENATORIA (The "woodcock" dog - search and link, "single" work and "couple" work; Campano and electronic campano: characteristics and sustainable use; Training and training; Work trials - work on woodcocks; Selection criteria and principles; Breeding; Nutrition; Dog health - first aid).
President of the Commission and teacher of Modules A and B was Paolo Pennacchini, assisted by Camillo D'Onofrio. The part of module C concerning dog lovers and hunting techniques was conducted by Raffaele Pozzi, the one on weapons and ballistics by Antonio Mitelli. At the end of the course, 80 woodcock-monitors were enabled to whom a specific certificate was issued.
Then Teramo
Promoted by Arcicaccia Teramo, in the figure of its president Massimo Sordini, on 13 and 14 September the specialization course was then held in Teramo precisely, with the patronage of the Province. The course had Paolo Pennacchini as teachers for Module A and B, together with Giovanni Giuliani, while the canine module was held by Alberto Pellegrini, president of the Beccaccia Club. 56 monitors were trained.
The encore of Chieti
Promoted by Federcaccia Chieti in the figure of Vincenzo Larizza, with the skilful organization of Gabriella Berardocco, in the ducal palace of Torrevecchia Teatina, the 19nd course aimed at the woodcock makers of Chieti took place on 20 and 2 September.
The teaching was held by Paolo Pennacchini and by Camillo D'Onofrio for modules A and B, by Giuseppe Caschera for dog lovers and hunting techniques, and by Antonio Mitelli for weapons, ballistics and ammunition. A further 80 monitors were trained following the exams.
A model developed with woodcock makers from all over Italy
It is important to remember how the woodcock specialization courses constructed in this way were the result of a training model that Beccacciai d'Italia has experienced over the years by meeting hundreds of woodcock-makers and the hunting offices from Trentino to Puglia. They are the evolution of the lessons held in the province of Perugia for the monitoring of pre-nuptial migration and the collection of wings that has taken place there since 2006, as well as in the province of Lecce since 2010, culminating in the master's lesson at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Florence which has awarded training credits to undergraduates of the Master's Degree Course in Wildlife Management Sciences. The contribution of the zoologist naturalist Giovanni Giuliani was decisive in structuring the courses according to the requirements indicated by ISPRA, as well as the great work of the president of the Beccaccia Club Alberto Pellegrini in disseminating the urgent needs of scientific research applied to ours in the world of dog lovers. beloved species.
If the Abruzzo Region was the first to officially activate the courses, a dutiful thanks goes to the courage and intuition of Giannicola Di Carlo who eight years ago started a series of contacts on the woodcock theme in his Ortona. Together with their friend Leo Papponetti they began to spread new research protocols based on the collection of woodcock wings and promoted numerous initiatives in the area. They founded the Abruzzo delegation of Beccacciai d'Italia and involved many young enthusiasts, interfacing with environmental associations, without prejudices and old grudges. It is therefore a very positive message: where people of good will and initiative still meet, we can all build together, without ideological alignments and divisions that are no longer sustainable, a future for the woodcock and for our hunting.
Beccacciai d'Italia and Club della Beccaccia
(February 27, 2014)