TICINO (Switzerland): End of deer hunting, start the one at boar
BELLINZONA - Positive balance for late autumn hunting at cervo, continues that to boar
The Hunting and Fishing Office of the Department of the Territory announces that the late autumn deer hunt, opened on November 14 for the first time in almost all the districts of the Canton (Bellinzona, Blenio, Leventina, Lugano, Mendrisio and Riviera) and ended on Sunday 6 December. 596 hunters participated (386 in 2008).
Animals to hunt - The slaughter plan was set at 840 head, divided as follows: 252 adult females of deer and 588 fawns and females of 1,5 years.
The main objective was the achievement of the quotas fixed in the single districts for adult females, at the origin of the numerical increase of the populations of the following year. From this point of view, the plan was reached in the districts of Bellinzona, Lugano (already in the first week), Blenio and Leventina.
Results - On the other hand, in the districts of Riviera and Mendrisio, the catches were lower than expected also as a result of the disturbing actions of some hunters opposed to late autumn hunting. If necessary, to contain damage to agriculture, gamekeepers will carry out targeted withdrawals. In total, in 10 days of deer hunting 498 head were captured (second best result after 2008 with 554 head), which added to the 1.010 deer killed in the September high hunting period bring the collection to 1.508 (2007: 1.190; 2008: 1.584). The Department thanks the hunters who participated for contributing to the management of the species.
Wild boar hunting in the winter - Last December 2nd, in Sottoceneri and in the districts of Bellinzona, Locarno and Media-Bassa Vallemaggia winter boar hunting, which will end on January 24, 2010. The first 3 days of hunting were positive and recorded 187 catches. This year, 623 animals have already been culled through high hunting and field keepers. The species, with a very high reproductive potential, has colonized new areas, making containment more and more difficult. Strong hunting pressure is therefore essential to reduce damage to agriculture and private property. The hunting agents will continue in the action of picking up problematic animals, which cause repeated damage to crops.
Source: Ticino Online