The densities for roe deer, red deer, fallow deer and wild boar in the Bologna area have been redefined with the updating of the hunting fauna plan. Values compatible with anthropogenic activities also taking into account the coexistence of several species. Specific measures for the plain and other non-suitable areas; specific tasks for the territorial areas of hunting and for hunting faunal companies. The Provincial Council approved, in the meeting of 16 December 2013 (Resolution no.73), the updating of the hunting fauna plan on target densities and the management of ungulates for the next 5 years (2014-2018). With this deed, the Provincial Administration of Bologna reaffirms the need to achieve a balance between the presence of wildlife and anthropogenic activities in its territory. The new densities, defined for each species in the different areas of our Apennines and in some cases as a function of the simultaneous presence of several species, have been identified, in fact, by examining the respective wildlife maps that take into account both the biotic needs of animals and the risks of damage that agro forestry crops may suffer.
The result of the analysis carried out on the environmental and socio-economic characteristics of the individual territories of the province led to indicate the compatible densities for each species of ungulates: roe deer, red deer, fallow deer and wild boar. These are values, represented in the number of animals per square kilometer, valid for each species and for the portions of the territory with similar characteristics. Values generally very low and definitely lower than the usual densities of these species in other European realities. Furthermore, the whole plain and in some cases the hills and low mountains are areas deemed unsuitable for the presence of ungulates, therefore target density equal to zero. For this territory, the Province has decided to implement a series of strategies to promptly and effectively remove any animals present due to the natural dispersion of specimens from mountain areas.
In suitable areas, compatible densities, as they have been defined, must be achieved through adequate hunting pressure; to this end, the provincial administration emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of the subjects who are required to carry out concrete actions to achieve the planned objectives: the territorial hunting areas first of all and, no less important, the wildlife hunting companies as far as they are concerned. .
For the wild boar species, the provincial plan introduced some innovations dictated by the need to limit the damage caused by this ungulate to agricultural crops and natural habitats. An analysis of the environmental peculiarities of the various management districts and a comparison of the damages recorded in recent years in the specific management realities allowed the identification of the maximum tolerable damage thresholds from an economic point of view: an indicator to which the teams of wild boar hunters they will have to comply in order to carry out their hunting activity. One way to make hunters themselves more responsible towards the goal of making the presence of this species more acceptable by farms.
The new provincial plan dedicated to ungulates reaffirms the correct management methods of this important fauna heritage; in particular, the usefulness of the annual censuses, the scientific importance of biological surveys, the need to georeference damage events, the need to intensify prevention measures and means of protecting agricultural crops are emphasized. Actions entrusted to the managers of the fauna and above all to hunters whose numbers, referred to in the plan not without concern, are constantly decreasing. The Bolognese hunting population is now around 7.000 while it reached 10.000 only six years ago. Hunters in gradual decline in numbers, of increasingly advanced age but also increasingly specialized as shown by the high frequency of training courses to acquire new qualifications and greater skills.
Finally, the ungulate management plan addresses the issue of the wild meat supply chain which in the province of Bologna has already had several occasions to make known the undoubted nutritional and qualitative qualities of this raw material. The provincial administration believes that wildlife can represent an opportunity for tourism enhancement for the Apennines and an added value for local economic operators.
In the meantime, the census operations for the counting of cervids are ready for the whole territory of the province of Bologna. Scheduled outings in the various districts of the Atc BO2 and BO3 for the spring census of roe deer, fallow deer and red deer. For the first time this year, some census areas are also planned in the plains according to the indications of the Provincial Wildlife-Hunting Plan. Once the selection sampling phase is over, as every year the spring census phase begins these days from advantageous points with mapping: roe deer, fallow deer and red deer are counted.
For the Atc BO2, the four mandatory dawn outings are scheduled for 22, 23, 29 and 30 March 2014 (with recovery days on 5 and 6 April in case of bad weather). The lower districts have anticipated the first release on March 16.
For the Atc BO3 two altimetric bands are distinguished: the lower one (hill districts from 1 to 4) the exits have been set for 16, 22, 23 and 30 March 2014, while for the high-hilly area and montana (districts from n. 5 to n. 14) the exits are scheduled on 23, 29, 30 March and 6 April 2014.
The wildlife hunting companies must guarantee outputs simultaneously with the adjacent ATC districts.
For the first time this year some census areas in the plains will be organized, as provided for by the new Provincial Wildlife-Hunting Plan with the aim of removing these specimens of wild animals from unsuitable areas of the Bolognese territory.
We recall the main rules that censors must observe in their action, in compliance with the methodology defined in the guidelines drawn up by Ispra:
• all sighted ungulates (roe deer, red deer, wild boar, fallow deer) must be recorded, marking them on a special form; the possible presence of wolves should also be noted to help monitor this species;
• it is important that each censor has with him suitable cartography of the area to be surveyed, regardless of whether it is already known;
• the censors must be equipped with adequate optical instruments, such as binoculars and telescope, the latter indispensable for the recognition of age groups;
• it is necessary to note the start time and the end time of sighting of the animals surveyed and the directions of arrival and departure in order to avoid double counting;
• the person in charge of the census area immediately after the sightings must also compare the results of the various censors, again in order to avoid double counting.
The “first green” census is a fundamental operation for the management of ungulates. Almost 2.000 volunteers will be engaged in the indicated sessions over an area of 1.400 km 2 to count, in the early hours of the day, the animals that can be seen thanks to their eating habits. Finally, once again this year, the Provincial Corps of Voluntary Ecological Guards will participate with its qualified members in the censuses organized by the Parks and the Province.
19 March 2014
Province of Bologna
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