Great turnout
Great turnout of participants, coming from all over Lombardy, at the training course for woodcock monitors The course was held in Berbenno in the Imagna Valley on January 24th. Following the first course held in Bergamo in February 2020, shortly before the start of the pandemic, this second one was scheduled due to the numerous requests from woodcock hunters. ERSAF Lombardia officials, Dr. Francesca Meriggi and Dr. Nicolò Mottadelli, attended the course, in compliance with the protocol by which the Lombardy Region, in 2022, entrusted FIBEC (Italian Woodcock Hunters Federation) with the task of hosting such courses throughout the region.
The course speaker
To date, twelve regions, with protocols similar to those of the Lombardy Region, have entrusted FIBEC with the conduct of training courses for monitors, a clear sign of the renowned competence and professionalism of FIBEC experts. The course speaker was Professor Paolo Pennacchini, president of FIBEC and FANBPO (Federation of National Associations of Woodcock Hunters of the Western Palearctic), currently considered the leading woodcock expert in Europe. With his professionalism and characteristically engaging approach, Pennacchini captured the attention and interest of the audience. After illustrating the morphological and ethological aspects of the woodcock, Pennacchini examined the statistics compiled based on data provided by Lombardy monitors, data that demonstrate the woodcock's good health. The key message the speaker wanted to emphasize was the importance of hunter training for responsible and sustainable hunting. The monitors' work takes place during the hunting season, providing, starting this year, online photos of the shot woodcock's wing. In February and March, they carry out actual monitoring with pointing dogs.
The hunt of the future
A very recent ISPRA report, "Current Hunting Issues in Italy and Priorities for a Truly Sustainable Management of Wildlife Resources," by Dr. Pietro Genovesi, head of the Wildlife Coordination Service, appears to have acknowledged the concerns of the scientific community, indicating that a shift in management systems is paramount for future hunting. This includes: urgent review of Law 157/92 to assess its limitations and opportunities, investment in hunter training, enhanced monitoring of huntable species, control of invasive alien species, and control of damage caused by wildlife, all with the aim of contributing to the transition to advanced and sustainable hunting management. "All of these objectives have always been envisioned and supported by FIBEC," says Dante Todeschini, FIBEC delegate for Lombardy and secretary of Federcaccia Bergamo, which organized the event with the financial support of FIdC Lombardia.
Studies and scientific research
"This shift in hunting management is essential," Todeschini continues, "if we want hunting to have a future. This requires following the example of other European countries, such as Germany, where such structured management and the positive legacy of a Central European culture allow hunters to be seen as authoritative figures, protecting the land and civil society. This has led to an increase in the number of hunters. Scientific studies and research, the growth of hunting culture, wildlife monitoring, environmental improvements, and collaboration with the agricultural sector are fundamental and essential principles upon which to build wildlife plans and hunting calendars for the coming years." (Source: FIDC)
You May Also Like ..
