Hunting Activities Research Articles

Physiological response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during stalking hunts depending on age

BackgroundThe European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a species particularly reactive to all kinds of negative stimuli. Hunting activity is one of the most potent stressors that disturbs the welfare of wild animals. During stress, various endocrine responses are elicited to improve the physical performance of the affected individual. A commonly assessed hormone for overcoming stressful situations is cortisol (CORT). In this study, plasma CORT levels in roe deer were assessed during the season of the most intense stalking hunts in Poland (summer vs. late autumn), the sex of the harvested animals (males vs. females), and age of harvest animal. In addition, the health status of the roe doe was evaluated on the basis of selected indices of blood chemistry, which could be associated with circulating cortisol levels.ResultsThe mean cortisol levels were 58.066 ng/ml in the male group (summer) and 27.694 ng/ml in the female group (late autumn). Higher CORT levels were associated with a significantly lower of total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean concentration of uric acid was negatively correlated with the level of CORT in the male and female groups (p < 0.05). Together with the increase in mean CORT level, the HDL cholesterol of all the tested animals increased significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionsHigher CORT in males during the summer than in females during the late autumn were most likely due to the arousal with the mating season. The level of CORT increased with the animals’ age. Uric acid and age are both predictors of roe deer’s serum CORT level.

Physiological, Haematological And Production Characteristics Of Pheasants In Different Rearing Conditions

Summary This paper presents a physiological, hematological, and biochemical study of the impact of different rearing conditions on pheasant production outcomes and mortality rates in both the pheasant parent flock and pheasant chicks up to 6 weeks old. Pheasant breeding holds significance within hunting activities and meat production for the food market due to its high biological and nutritive value. Pheasant meat contains high-quality proteins, minerals, essential unsaturated fatty acids, and boasts a low-fat percentage. The quality of pheasant meat derived from natural habitats holds a higher biological value compared to that of pheasants raised on farms, featuring higher water, protein, and calcium contents, and a lower fat percentage. The dry mass of breast muscles from farm-reared birds contains more protein and less fat when compared to drumstick muscles. Notably, during the egg-laying period, alterations in hematological parameters linked to oxygen transport, decreased erythropoiesis, and increased values in white blood cell parameters were observed. Changes in blood biochemical parameters signify increased energy requirements in pheasant hens during egg laying, as well as heightened transportation of minerals, proteins, and cholesterol, which accumulate in the eggshell, albumen, and yolk. The elevated metabolic requirements in pheasant hens manifest significantly through increased levels of cholesterol, uric acid, lactates, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), calcium, and phosphorus. Simultaneously, there is a noteworthy decrease in plasma total proteins, albumins, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations. Several challenges persist throughout all production stages, leading to reduced egg yield, compromised egg quality and fertility, as well as increased mortality rates. These issues stem from factors such as high population density, an inappropriate male-to-female sex ratio, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient assessment of the biological quality of hatching eggs.

The impact of population management on urban and rural Hooded Crow populations

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix), originally native to agricultural areas, has become widespread in urban areas in recent decades. However, this process has negative consequences on urban animals and humans. Due to these problems, the control of urban crow populations is needed. Crows also cause significant damage to wildlife management, and are constantly being controlled in rural areas as well. In this study, we compare rural and urban populations to find out whether hunting activities have a population reduction effect. In the rural population, the reduction is carried out by weapons and traps, while the urban crows are controlled using traps only. In both sample areas, crow nests were surveyed during the nesting period. 29 active nests were monitored in the rural area in 2021, and 39 in 2022. In the urban area, 44 nests were recorded in 2021 and 35 nests in 2022. In 2021, 30 individuals were removed in the rural area, and 84 in 2022. In the urban area, 223 individuals were removed in 2021 and 144 in 2022. Results show that the number of crows removed follows the number of active nests, so that the reduction of a given year is likely to have an effect on the following year's nesting population. Because traps mostly capture juvenile birds, reducing the breeding population in the city can only be achieved in the long-term. Considering this, it is likely that increased attention to population control can effectively maintain crow populations and reduce the problems they cause.

Multidisciplinary approach to the study of Neolithic pottery technology (based on the materials of the Luzhki II site)

The excavations of a new Neolithic site in the Samara Volga region, conducted by archaeologists of Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education in 2020–2023, yielded numerous ceramic materials, a comprehensive analysis of which is currently being conducted. The results of the technical and technological analysis of ceramics according to the method of A.A. Bobrinsky and the specifics of the geographical location of the Luzhki II site led to the appeal to more detailed methods of study. In addition to archaeological (morphological grouping of vessels, typology, technical and technological analysis of ceramics based on binocular microscopy, tracology and physical modeling), the methods of geology (petrography, X-ray phase analysis) and paleosolvology were used in the study. The results of the multidisciplinary approach to the study of Neolithic pottery technology are presented in this article. They suggested that a small site without stationary dwellings could be used as a seasonal place for making household utensils (in addition to the usual hunting and fishing activities). As a result of the technical and technological analysis of pottery ceramics of the Luzhki II site, a significant proximity of the pottery traditions of the population groups who left different ceramic complexes was revealed, which indicates the simultaneity of their existence in this area and active mixing processes. The archaization of the potters' ideas about plastic raw materials is noted – a return to more archaic methods: the share of the use of silt in the production of post-Yelshan ceramic complex lot is 82%; pricked – 75%; combed – 89%; «mixed» group – 83%. From the point of view of the historical and cultural approach, such a result could arise only because of the appearance in the southern Middle Volga of new groups of Neolithic population with archaic ideas about raw materials.

Zoonoses in endemic, free-ranging mammals

Zoonoses are diseases and infections that can be transmitted naturally between animals and humans. Direct and indirect contact of humans with wildlife occur during hunting activities, when diseased wildlife is found and treated, and in shared fields, forests, parks, gardens, and homes. Zoonoses can only be understood and controlled when ecosystems, animals, and humans are considered holistically. This paper presents important zoonotic pathogens that are currently present in wild mammals as reservoirs in Germany. The literature was searched to determine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens currently occurring in wild mammals. Viral zoonotic agents currently present in free-ranging, mammalian animals in Germany as reservoirs of natural origin are bornaviruses, lyssaviruses, hepatitisE virus genotype3, and Puumala orthohantavirus. Bacterial zoonotic agents beyond typical wound and foodborne pathogens include Brucella suis Biovar2, Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica, Leptospira interrogans sensu latu, Mycobacterium caprae, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In particular, parasitic zoonotic agents common in wildlife are Alaria alata, Baylisascaris procyonis, Echinococcus multilocularis, Sacoptes scabei, and Trichinella spp. The presence of zoonotic infectious agents of risk groups2 and3 has to be regularly expected in numerous endemic wildlife species, especially canines, small bears, rodents, insectivores, and bats. Animal caretakers, hunters, veterinarians, and human health professionals should be aware of this risk and take protective measures appropriate to the situation.

Hai på menyen

In 2021 the University Museum of Bergen conducted an archaeological excavation at the Middle Neolithic (3500–2700 BC) site Nerlandsøy at Sunnmøre. The most surprising find was 154 teeth from Porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) imbedded in culture layers. Teeth from this species have been found in three other sites infrom North-Western Norway, however in much lesser number than on Nerlandsøy. In this paper the shark teeth are interpreted as a hitherto unknown part of the increasing big game hunting taking place in the Middle Neolithic. The hunting activity is reflected both in the material culture, as well as in the rock art, in the region and is believed to be an important part of the social dynamics of the society.

Effects of large carnivores, hunter harvest, and weather on the mortality of moose calves in a partially migratory population

Survival of juvenile ungulates represents an important demographic parameter that influences population dynamics within ecosystems. In many ecological systems, the mortality of juvenile ungulates is influenced by various factors, including predation by large carnivores, human hunting activities and weather. While wolves Canis lupus are known to prey on moose Alces alces throughout all seasons, brown bears Ursus arctos primarily engage in predation during early summer, while human harvest primarily occurs in autumn and early winter. Hence, understanding the impacts of predation, harvest, and weather on the survival of juvenile moose is crucial for adaptive population management and the determination of sustainable harvest rates. To investigate the summer and autumn–winter survival of moose calves in relation to carnivore occurrence (wolf presence and bear density), summer habitat productivity, winter severity, human harvest, and migratory behaviour (migratory versus resident), we analysed data collected from 39 GPS‐collared female moose in south‐central Scandinavia. Our findings revealed significant interannual variation in summer survival rates, with areas with relatively higher bear densities exhibiting calf mortality rates twice as high as those in regions with low bear density. During the autumn–winter period, calf survival was lowest in the presence of wolves and deep snow, and it exhibited a negative correlation with the proportion of clearcuts and young forests within the mother's home range. Additionally, calf survival was negatively correlated with the risk of human hunting, and calves of stationary females displayed ten times higher survival rates compared to migratory individuals. Our study provides valuable insights into the survival of moose calves coexisting with two large carnivores and humans. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms causing calf survival to fluctuate has become increasingly important as many local moose populations in Scandinavia are declining and exposed to expanding predator populations, intense hunting pressure, and other threats associated with climate change.

Beaver exploitation, 400,000 years ago, testifies to prey choice diversity of Middle Pleistocene hominins

Data regarding the subsistence base of early hominins are heavily biased in favor of the animal component of their diets, in particular the remains of large mammals, which are generally much better preserved at archaeological sites than the bones of smaller animals, let alone the remains of plant food. Exploitation of smaller game is very rarely documented before the latest phases of the Pleistocene, which is often taken to imply narrow diets of archaic Homo and interpreted as a striking economic difference between Late Pleistocene and earlier hominins. We present new data that contradict this view of Middle Pleistocene Lower Palaeolithic hominins: cut mark evidence demonstrating systematic exploitation of beavers, identified in the large faunal assemblage from the c. 400,000 years old hominin site Bilzingsleben, in central Germany. In combination with a prime-age dominated mortality profile, this cut mark record shows that the rich beaver assemblage resulted from repetitive human hunting activities, with a focus on young adult individuals. The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed, already visible in prey choices 400,000 years ago.

The Influence of Parents’ Outdoor Recreation Preferences on Children’s Outdoor Activities in State Parks

Parents play a vital role in influencing their children’s outdoor recreation participation. Families can enjoy nature and stay active in state parks, which provide abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parents’ experiences with, and attitudes toward, outdoor recreation and children’s participation in outdoor recreation for one state park system. A total of 104 parents completed an online survey in spring 2020. In these state park settings, parents generally valued their children’s participation in nonconsumptive outdoor recreation activities more than consumptive activities. A series of chi-square analyses further indicated, however, that parents who prefer engaging in consumptive recreation activities placed higher importance on their children’s participation in the consumptive activities of fishing and hunting. Parents’ outdoor recreation activity preferences did not reflect differences in their own levels of physical activity but did relate to variations in their children’s physical activity levels.

Preliminary zooarchaeological analysis of the Phoenice and Butrint excavations (2021 campaign)

The recent archaeological excavation of the Butrint and Phoenice sites in south Albania allows to restart the zooarchaeological analysis. In these samples, the faunal remains have a high level of identification, and their taphonomic conditions show many cut marks. This preliminary zooarchaeological analysis of the Chaonia region show two very similar economies, where the breeding of the main domestic species is followed by a reasonable hunting activity. These preliminary considerations could be useful to environmental study of Epirote area, but also to improve the recovery protocol of these remains together with collaboration of the archaeologists.

Woman the hunter: The archaeological evidence

AbstractThe Paleo‐fantasy of a deep history to a sexual division of labor, often described as “Man the Hunter and Woman the Gatherer,” continues to dominate the literature. We see it used as the default hypothesis in anatomical and physiological reconstructions of the past as well as studies of modern people evoking evolutionary explanations. However, the idea of a strict sexual labor division in the Paleolithic is an assumption with little supporting evidence, which reflects a failure to question how modern gender roles color our reconstructions of the past. Here we present examples to support women's roles as hunters in the past as well as challenge oft‐cited interpretations of the material culture. Such evidence includes stone tool function, diet, art, anatomy and paleopathology, and burials. By pulling together the current state of the archaeological evidence along with the modern human physiology presented in the accompanying paper (Ocobock and Lacy, this issue), we argue that not only are women well‐suited to endurance activities like hunting, but there is little evidence to support that they were not hunting in the Paleolithic. Going forward, paleoanthropology should embrace the idea that all sexes contributed equally to life in the past, including via hunting activities.

Viral hepatitis E, zoonotic transmission in Algeria.

Viral hepatitis E, a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in adults, is a global public health problem. The zoonotic potential of the virus is currently accepted in developed countries. In developing countries, where transmission is mainly enteric, data on the animal reservoir are very limited. Our objective was to identify a possible risk of zoonotic transmission in our region (eastern Algeria). Four hundred and thirty four sera from blood donors were analysed by an-ti-HEV IgG antibodies detection using a commercial ELISA kit. Study participants were asked about demographics, contact with farm animals, pets, rats, and with live or shot game during a hunting activity. The anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was 17.05%. Two risk factors were identified; rat contact with a seroprevalence rate at 51.2% (p < 1p.1000), OR = 6.736 [95% CI 3, 42-13.26] and game contact with a seroprevalence at 33% (p = 0.003), OR = 2.76 [95% CI 1.37-5.56]. In summary, zoonotic transmission is possible in our region. Rats and game should be investigated for a probable animal reservoir.

Pig Hunting Tradition in Nagari Panta Pauh Matur District Agam Regency West Sumatra

This study entitled "The Tradition of Pig Hunting in Nagari Panta Pauh, Matur District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra". The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of the traditional pig hunting activities and the function of the pig hunting tradition for the community in Nagari Panta Pauh, Matur District, Agam Regency. The theory used in this thesis is the functionalism theory of Bronislaw Malinowski. The method that the author uses is a qualitative method, with data collection techniques namely observation, interviews and documentation.The results of the study found that there were two stages in carrying out pig hunting, namely preparation before hunting and carrying out pig hunting. In hunting activities there are functions for the community that we can see, these functions are as follows: a) Environment, the tradition of hunting pigs in Nagari Panta Pauh functions as wild boar pest control. b) Recreation, hunting pigs is not only a hobby for hunters, but also gives satisfaction to those who do it. c) Social, there is cooperation, gathering events and social status. d) Culture, pig hunting can be seen as a form of negotiation against customary provisions which may prohibit men from carrying out certain activities. Through pig hunting, men can find a way to participate in the activities they enjoy without violating existing customary provisions. e) Economy, hunting also has benefits for people in hunting locations, namely by encouraging economic growth through trading activities that occuraround hunting locations.

The dynamic lives of osseous points from Late Palaeolithic/Early Mesolithic Doggerland: A detailed functional study of barbed and unbarbed points from the Dutch North Sea.

Osseous barbed and unbarbed points are commonly recovered from the Dutch North Sea and other Mesolithic sites of northern Europe. Interpreted as elements of projectile weaponry, barbed points are considered by archaeologists to be a technological innovation in the hunting equipment of hunter-gatherers. However, debate about their exact use and identification of the targeted prey species is still ongoing. To shed light on the function of these tools, we analysed a sample of 17 artefacts from the Netherlands with a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing morphometric, functional, and chemical analysis. 14C-AMS dating yielded the oldest date for a barbed point from the Dutch coast (⁓13000 cal. BP). The observation of microwear traces preserved on the tools provides solid evidence to interpret the function of barbed and unbarbed points. We show that there were two distinct tool categories. 1) Barbed points hafted with birch tar and animal or vegetal binding were likely projectile tips for terrestrial and aquatic hunting. We provide strong clues to support the link between small barbed points and fishing using wear traces. 2) Points without barbs served as perforators for animal hides. Our results highlight the importance of use-wear and residue analysis to reconstruct prehistoric hunting activities. The functional interpretation of projectile points must also rely on microwear traces and not merely on the association with faunal remains, historical sources, and ethnographic comparisons.

Assessment of Thatch Grass Harvesting Model in Protected Areas and Its Role as an Additional Livelihood Option for Woman in North West Matabeleland, Zimbabwe

Thatch grass is a readily available ecosystem productthat plays a direct economic and utilitarian benefit to woman in households surrounding the protected areas of Zimbabwe. The study describes the institutional arrangement in place for the exploitation and lesson highlights of thatch grass in the protected areas of Matetsi Safari Area and Kazuma pan national park in North West Matebeleland region. The arrangement for thatch grass harvesting is that only the women (young and elderly) are allowed to apply for thatch grass harvesting in protected areas for defined period of time usually two weeks. We used park registers of thatch grass harvesters to determine the number of women involved, thatch grass bundles harvested and villages involved. At total of 15 744 bundles of thatch grass were harvested in the year 2022. The total bundles that the woman took home were 10 962 while 4 784 were retained by the park or concession holders. On average, an individual woman collected 27 to 125 bundles. Each individual woman direct income from thatch grass harvesting ranged from US$ 40 to US$187 per harvesting season. The key lesson in the thatch grass arrangement is that woman can successfully be mainstreamed directly to benefit from protected areas without experiencing negative effects associated with resource access in protected such as wildlife poaching which might occur when men are involved. Further, coordinated thatch grass harvesting has less conflict with the trophy hunting experience and activities in the hunting areas. While some challenges have been experienced in the national park component, the challenges are partly due to the perceived regulations, purpose of national parks and the somewhat negative attitude of stakeholders operating in the park to use of natural resource by local communities. In order for the thatch grass harvesting to remain sustainable and compatible with activities in the protected area there ought to be planning, coordination, monitoring of harvesting activities andongoing ecological monitoring of potential ecosystem impacts.

Applying Few-Shot Learning for In-the-Wild Camera-Trap Species Classification

Few-shot learning (FSL) describes the challenge of learning a new task using a minimum amount of labeled data, and we have observed significant progress made in this area. In this paper, we explore the effectiveness of the FSL theory by considering a real-world problem where labels are hard to obtain. To assist a large study on chimpanzee hunting activities, we aim to classify various animal species that appear in our in-the-wild camera traps located in Senegal. Using the philosophy of FSL, we aim to train an FSL network to learn to separate animal species using large public datasets and implement the network on our data with its novel species/classes and unseen environments, needing only to label a few images per new species. Here, we first discuss constraints and challenges caused by having in-the-wild uncurated data, which are often not addressed in benchmark FSL datasets. Considering these new challenges, we create two experiments and corresponding evaluation metrics to determine a network’s usefulness in a real-world implementation scenario. We then compare results from various FSL networks, and describe how factors may affect a network’s potential real-world usefulness. We consider network design factors such as distance metrics or extra pre-training, and examine their roles in a real-world implementation setting. We also consider additional factors such as support set selection and ease of implementation, which are usually ignored when a benchmark dataset has been established.

EARNING CAPACITY: USE IT (FOR YOURSELF) OR LOSE IT Rudman v Road Accident Fund 2003 2 SA 234 (SCA)

In Rudman v Road Accident Fund (2003 2 SA 234 (SCA)), the appellant, a mohair farmer, was also a game farmer, hunting outfitter and registered professional hunter. He brought large numbers of foreign hunters to the Eastern Cape and his business was one of the most successful of its kind in the province. Acting on advice from his financial managers, the appellant acquired control in 1977 of a company, Blaauwkrantz Farming Enterprises (Pty) Ltd of which he, his wife and children were directors. Although the farming and hunting activities were done through the company, these activities were in fact performed by the appellant in person. The income generated by the company was thus through the energetic effort of the appellant. Both the hunting and the farming were done on rugged terrain and required considerable physical effort from the appellant. He was an active man who always maintained a high level of personal fitness and this contributed to his success as hunter and farmer.In May 1998 the appellant was involved in a motor collision which changed his life dramatically. After a lengthy period in hospital he returned to the farm but he would never hunt again and would also not be able to pursue his farming activities with the same vigour as before.The appellant claimed, amongst other things, past loss of earnings in the amount of R745 882, as well as loss of earning capacity in the amount of R1 380 000 (238 E-F). These claims arose from the physical handicaps such as severe restriction of movement due to miscellaneous injuries suffered by the appellant. The prognosis for recovery was poor and the appellant would, according to the evidence, never again function as a professional hunter, nor would he be able to perform all the farming duties he had performed prior to the accident.

THREAT ASSESSMENT of RED-and-BLUE LORY in the KEPULAUAN TALAUD: A Case Study on Illegal Hunting and Habitat Destruction in the Vicinity of Red-And-Blue Lory Conservation Area at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga IT Bitung

Threat Assessment of Red-and-blue lory, particularly a case study on illegal hunting and habitat destruction using direct observation methods in the natural habitat of red-and-blue lory, specifically within the red-and-blue lory Conservation Area at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Integrated Terminal Bitung in Beo District, Kepulauan Talaud Regency, Indonesia. This research aims to determine the factors that influence illegal hunting and habitat destruction, which have an impact on the population size of red-and-blue lories. Observations were conducted for 15 days (2 weeks). The results of this study indicate that red-and-blue lory are targeted for illegal hunting due to the beauty of their feathers and the high demand in the illegal wildlife trade, particularly in the Philippines. This illegal hunting poses a threat to the population of red-and-blue lories and has led to a decline in their numbers in the wild. Additionally, there are local communities involved in illegal hunting activities. Regarding habitat destruction, there were findings of rampant illegal mining that poses a serious threat to the survival of red-and-blue lory. The widespread illegal mining in the Kepulauan Talaud has resulted in the loss of their natural habitat and disrupted their life cycle. Habitat disturbance also threatens the sustainability of the ecosystem and has negative impacts on the water and air quality consumed by red-and- blue Lories.

Early and middle Holocene periglacial lake-level changes and human landscape use in south-central Patagonia. An approach to hunting activities in Cerro Casa de Piedra locality

This paper discusses data on the use of space by groups living in the Andean south-central Patagonia. The information is based on research in the archaeological site Cerro Casa de Piedra 7. The excavations were undertaken to address the chronology of the initial human settlement in this region. The first human evidence at CCP7 dates back to 12,500 calibrated years, indicating one of the earliest dates of human presence in this portion of the Andean Range. Additionally, surface material recovered around the excavated site is considered for a broader spatial perspective. Paleogeographic variations identified for the early Holocene are paramount for this study. The glacial retreat brought along critical lacustrine feature modifications. In some cases, this led to the emergence of new areas, resulting in a change of scenery. Hunting behaviour and its related activities are considered within this fluctuating context to contribute to the discussion about hunting strategies on a regional scale. Accordingly, archaeological assemblages are studied with a particular emphasis on the lithic projectile points and their chronological distribution.The latter shows a clear decline in the presence of these elements from 8,000 calibrated years BP onwards, different from what is observed throughout the region.

HUNTING RESOURCES OF THE SOUTH OF KAZAKHSTAN

The hunting fauna is an important component of the biological diversity of the southern regions of Kazakhstan. Being a part of natural resources, hunting animals are, on the one hand, an object of hunting and have recreational and economic value, and on the other hand, they are fully exposed to a complex of anthropogenic factors, of which agricultural production is especially relevant for the steppe zone. Today, the problem of preserving and objectively assessing the natural resource potential of individual regions of Kazakhstan is becoming especially relevant. In this regard, it is necessary to foresee all the environmental and economic costs associated with turnover of agricultural land and to identify contradictions associated with usage of hunting resources on agricultural land. Hunting resources, as part of the natural resource potential of the developed regions, are an objective indicator of the systemic ecological crisis of the steppe zone. In Kazakhstan, the steppe zone is an agrarian region, where the problems of biodiversity conservation, socio-economic and environmental optimization of land use and management of hunting use are especially acute. The purpose of this research work is to analyze regional hunting and resource potential, develop principles for optimizing the management of hunting activities in the southern region of Kazakhstan. The article presents the results of the hunting activities analysis of Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions, which are part of South Kazakhstan. The data on fixed hunting grounds, the relative number of predatory mammals as potential hunting objects - wolves, foxes, corsacs, jackals, badgers and mustelids as hunting objects are given.