Chiavari – The wild boar hunting season in the Levant will begin on Sunday 1 October and will end on 31 December, with the possibility of extensions until 31 January 2024. The recently published decree establishes the number of wild boars that can be slaughtered at regional level and in each hunting area. For 2023/2024, the quota provides for a total of 22.331 slaughterable wild boars, considering the limitations imposed by the African swine fever, which made hunting impossible in the Genoa 1 Areas and those of Savona 2 and Savona 3.
Last year's hunting campaign saw a decline in hunters in the Levant, mainly due to swine fever concerns. Out of 5238 boars that could be killed, only 2302 had been eliminated, just 43,95% of the total allowed.
Also this year, the risk of a negative season is high, since the new decree establishes that the hunting of wild boar will be allowed only in compliance with the measures to combat African swine fever. Therefore, the hygiene and precautionary rules will continue to be applied, discouraging some hunters from venturing into hunting.
However, paradoxically, the decree also approved a regional resolution which increases the hunting quota by 180%. This creates a contradictory situation for hunters who will face precautionary restrictions despite having more boars to kill.
As for swine fever, the cases of infected wild boars in Liguria rose to 387, fifteen more than the previous week. Levante also reported a case, with a find in the Lumarzo area. The depopulation campaign has officially begun, but due to the climatic conditions, it is proceeding slowly. Few hunters are frequenting the woods to eliminate the wild boars, and the ATC 2 of the Levant is involved in the depopulation plan, in accordance with the regional strategy.
Wild boar hunting in the Levant therefore presents itself as a challenge for hunters, as they will face restrictions related to swine fever and the risk of an uncertain season. Despite this, the culling quota has been increased, providing opportunities to manage the wild boar population, seeking to mitigate the effects of swine fever and protect the environment.