The reply to the Federcaccia
In response to the authoritative comment from the Studies and Research Office of the Federcaccia, it is believed that we should not only dwell on examining the ISPRA report about the number of wild boars in Italy, about the effectiveness or otherwise of the hunt, about the correctness of the data about the damage to agriculture. Considerations useful only to further foment the division between the various forms of hunting (hounded, turned and selected) and the growing discontent of farmers. Thanks to the path shared with the institutions that "regulate" hunting, ATC Macerata 2 and the Region (which allowed the creation of the CLS of Serrapetrona) and the collection of data supported by the scientific academic world, we can state that hunting does what it can as it is not a professional activity. Hunting is carried out throughout the year mainly in two ways: selectively from February to September and collectively from October to January, therefore the wild boar is taken substantially throughout the year.
More effort required from ATCs
We take the liberty of affirming, with conviction, that the wild boar "problem" cannot be resolved only with slaughter but, above all, through correct management including prevention actions. In this regard, the Territorial Areas of Hunting (perhaps!) could and should certainly make a greater effort. As known, the wild boar is a very plastic species and our economic, cultural, social, environmental and agricultural situation has favored - and is increasingly favoring - the increase in populations. The wild boar enjoys an increasingly suitable territory (increased woodland), increasingly mild winters and abundant trophic resources throughout the year. The consequence of these constant transformations can only favor the reproductive success of the species.
Greater synergy with agriculture
Having said that, it is essential to create a greater synergy with the agricultural world, which must be absolutely protected, also strengthening prevention actions and more targeted killings where the wild boar actually causes damage in a considerable way, thus increasing the activity of selective hunting (also in the areas assigned to collective hunts) especially in the period most affected by the fruiting of agricultural crops (February - August), coincidentally the time window where the greatest number of damages are found. In this, citing the example of the Marche Region, the selection is also opposed by the Implementing Regulations of certain Territorial Hunting Areas which preclude access to selectors in the collective hunting areas to those not belonging to the hunted teams, with the consequence that the harvest ratio in these areas is 10 to 1 (1000 out of 100 wild boars killed collectively are killed selectively) and a greater concentration of damage to agriculture.
Knowledge of the species
Another aspect to be improved is certainly the collection (and subsequent processing) of all the information useful for an adequate knowledge of the species in terms of management, just as suggested by ISPRA. Despite the enormous amount of hunting and management data (censuses, samples, biometric information, fertility) held by the Regions, these are not processed for adequate knowledge of the species and its evolution in demographic terms. Unfortunately, in many regions, including the Marches, the wild boar extraction plans are determined "on sight", that is, with censuses from vantage points, almost approximate. In addition, an analysis on the movement of populations is totally missing, which is essential to be able to intervene "surgically" with the most effective form of sampling/prevention on the corridors used by the wild boar to reach the main feeding sites.
Wild boar management
Another best theme is that of the wild boar resource, increasing the game meat supply chains, with a growing synergy between the hunting, agricultural, scientific and environmental world, aimed at positively affecting the legality of the meat and promoting the economy of the internal and of all related industries also linked to the management of the wild boar. We can do better, much better, without insinuating doubts to create divisions, we cannot continue to manage hunting (I am speaking of ungulates) as a sport-hobby, to the detriment of the "pockets" of farmers and taxpayers, but it must manage on solid and authoritative scientific (such as those of ISPRA) and economic (URCA Marche) bases.
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