Differences in ungulate population use in different hunting grounds in Lithuania

Abstract

Abundant ungulate populations are considered ecosystem drivers that affect forestry and agriculture. Their management is ecologically and economically based on game density regulations, considering the balance between density and carrying capacity of the territory, population status and dynamics, and hunting needs.
 Although the population status and dynamics are not a new question, it is still unclear how to manage populations properly depending on the hunting intensity. We aimed to analyse and compare the ungulate population status like moose, red deer, roe deer and wild boar in the Punia pine forest, where the commercial hunting is conducted, and in the hunting grounds managed by hunter clubs in Prienai forest. We performed the study during four hunting seasons 2009 - 2013. The data on harvesting and abundance were obtained from the field works and using the official statistics of the Ministry of Environment.
 The moose local populations are not abundant, or animals occur occasionally, and their density does not reach the minimum permissible level. The control of moose is non-purposeful and insufficient on both of study territories. The red deer population is rather stable on areas of hunting clubs while hardly reaches the minimum density level. On the commercial hunting area, the population density 2-3 times exceeds the permissible density level. Red deer population should be used more intensively. Wild boar is used intensively on the areas of hunter clubs, and animal density is close to the permissible level. Unfortunately, on the areas of commercial hunting, wild boar is used passively that is why their density exceeds permissible level even four times.
 The main harvested species are red deer and wild boar in both hunting grounds. Their numerous populations stay close to permissible density level. However, gamekeepers keep the larger animal numbers on the areas of commercial hunting. As the main aim is the trophy hunting, the stags and boars are most used when compared to females and young. Therefore, on the areas of commercial hunting, use of wild boar and red deer is unreasonable and their density exceeds permissible level several times.
 Keywords: commercial hunting, hunting clubs, population, status, ungulate