An army of almost 8 thousand Arezzo hunters responded present at the reopening of the hunting season. A number down compared to the past largely due to the effects of Covid, which has not only taken away a slice of the population, but has impoverished it. So much so that many have to cut their expenses by giving up more expensive hobbies and sports. But there are also many young people who every year undergo the difficult examination to obtain the hunting license, a quiz that ranges from zoology to first aid, questions about protected and regulatory species. Is that ours is historically a land of hunters this is demonstrated by the fact that Tuscany is one of the regions with the highest density of enthusiasts. “In pre Covid time in Tuscany they were there 65 thousand hunters about, now we are about 50 thousand ", explains Sergio Fabianelli Provincial Vice President of the Anuu migratory association which groups a little bit of all forms of hunting and which, born in 1958, today has merged with Federcaccia and Arci Caccia into the Tuscan CCT which represents about 80% of the hunters in the area.
"In the province last year there were around 8 thousand hunters - continues Fabianelli - the delivery of hunting cards has not yet been completed but we expect a decrease of 10% even higher than last year. The biggest reason lies in the effects of Covid, not only in terms of lives but also in economic terms. Many abandon them due to economic difficulties despite the passion. For those who start from scratch between shotgun, permits and dog at the end of the season you can spend over 3 thousand euros. And in the year in which many have lost their jobs, hunting has become an expense to be cut ”. And while the Tuscan hunting calendar saw the general reopening on 19 September, it will start again instead from 1 November the wild boar hunt, anticipated by a few hunts in October.
“The average age of hunters has risen a lot - explains Fabianelli - between 45 and 55, but with a good injection of young people who take their license exams every year. Strict quizzes on various subjects, you have to know all the species and protected animals ". And while the delivery of hunting cards remains open in the municipal offices in via Tagliamento, not everyone goes to the woods just to shoot. There are many walkers, enthusiasts who go out with the dog, mushroom hunters. The same ones who buy sportswear, camouflage patterns, boots and who go to their home mountains. "The way of visiting nature has changed, there is a selective collection - explains Fabianelli - there are scientific techniques to know where the game reproduces, there is a community legislation.
The province is one of those with the highest density of hunters also due to its excellent management. The ATC committee has just been re-elected and we hope so give new life also in terms of repopulation areas. On the 19th there was a general opening, from 1 November that to the wild boar that many are waiting for due to the strong presence of animals also among the houses and in the streets. In October there will be the passage of migratory game. Thrushes, wood pigeons, woodcocks, which we find rigid rules and a controlled collection not as it happens in north Africa where these animals are preyed without rules. Here there are strict controls, when a hunter kills an animal he must report it in real time, under penalty of high fines, license suspension and firearms license. Covid prevented the natural catch cycle and restocking for sedentary species such as hare and pheasant that are in short supply "(The nation).