Hunting Enterprise Research Articles

Public perceptions of trophy hunting are pragmatic, not dogmatic.

Fierce international debates rage over whether trophy hunting is socially acceptable, especially when people from the Global North hunt well-known animals in sub-Saharan Africa. We used an online vignette experiment to investigate public perceptions of the acceptability of trophy hunting in sub-Saharan Africa among people who live in urban areas of the USA, UK and South Africa. Acceptability depended on specific attributes of different hunts as well as participants' characteristics. Zebra hunts were more acceptable than elephant hunts, hunts that would provide meat to local people were more acceptable than hunts in which meat would be left for wildlife, and hunts in which revenues would support wildlife conservation were more acceptable than hunts in which revenues would support either economic development or hunting enterprises. Acceptability was generally lower among participants from the UK and those who more strongly identified as an animal protectionist, but higher among participants with more formal education, who more strongly identified as a hunter, or who would more strongly prioritize people over wild animals. Overall, acceptability was higher when hunts would produce tangible benefits for local people, suggesting that members of three urban publics adopt more pragmatic positions than are typically evident in polarized international debates.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOREST FUND OF THE STATE ENTERPRISE " BEREZHANY FORESTRY AND HUNTING ENTERPRISE"

The article deals with the peculiarities of forest management at the State Enterprise "Berezhany Forestry and Hunting Enterprise". The history of creation, administrative and organizational structure of the “Berezhany Forestry and Hunting Enterprise” is analyzed. The enterprise is located on the lands of the following 10 territorial communities: Narayiv, Berezhany, Pidhaitsi, Kozliv, Kozivka, Saranchukiv, Monastyrysk, Kupchynets, Pidhorodiansk and Zboriv. It was found that in the Berezhany State Forestry, the largest area is occupied by forests of the I and Ia class of the bonitet (39% and 26.6%, respectively). The smallest area is occupied by forests of the IV class of bonitet - 1.2%, which is 106 hectares. The species composition of the forests of the Berezhany State Forestry is diverse, but the basis of most plantations is hardwoods (about 88% of the area), conifers (about 8%) and the least of softwoods (4%). Beech, oak, and hornbeam are the predominant hardwood species. Conifers such as scots pine, larch, and spruce are also common here. Among the softwoods, birch, aspen, and alder occupy the largest area. The undergrowth is dense and consists of Tatar honeysuckle, hazel, and warty birch. The grass cover is dominated by European bindweed, common hop, fragrant ash and forest geranium. As a result of this combination of different tree species, the forest performs the following functions: landscape-forming (combination of conifers (pine, spruce) with hardwoods (oak, maple); aesthetic function is mainly performed by introductions - larch, black walnut, red oak, Weymouth pine, etc.; recreational - in combination of deciduous and coniferous species. The average age of forest plantations is 61 years, coniferous - 52 years, hardwood - 63 years, softwood - 55 years. The largest area of the forestry is occupied by medieval plantations - 36.6%, and the smallest by mature and overgrown forests (about 20.7%). According to observations, medieval stands perform their ecological functions best and have the highest bioproductivity. It has been determined that by category, about 80% of the area is occupied by exploitation forests, namely 29554 hectares. A small area is occupied by protective and recreational forests - 4.5% and 6.6%, respectively.
 Forests play a significant role in stabilizing natural processes, and are also a key factor in preserving biodiversity and comfortable conditions for human life. The western part of the Ternopil district is characterized by a high rate of forested territory. The forests of this territory are owned by two state enterprises: "Berezhany Rayagrolis" and "Berezhany LMG". The Berezhan forestry consists of eight forestry farms, which are more or less evenly distributed over the territory of the district. There are also protected objects on the territory of the State Forestry. In the researched forest farm, their area is 2761.46 hectares. The territory of the State Forestry is divided into economic parts, farms and economic sections, which consist of trees of uniform productivity and composition. About 80% of the forests of the State Forestry are occupied by exploitation forests, namely 29,554 hectares. A small area is occupied by protective and recreational forests - 4.5% and 6.6%, respectively.
 As for the quality of the forest in the Berezhan Forest Farm, the largest area is occupied by forests of the I and Ia quality classes (39% and 26.6%, respectively). The species composition of the forests of the Berezhan State Forest Farm is diverse, but the basis of most plantations are hardwoods: beech, oak, and hornbeam (about 88% of the area), followed by coniferous trees: Scots pine, larch, spruce (about 8%), and the smallest is m deciduous trees: birch, aspen and alder (4%). In addition to the tree species familiar to our territory, there are also promising introduced coniferous plants. These are European larch, Menzies pseudotsuga and European spruce.
 The forest plantations of the Berezhany State Forestry were characterized by their completeness. It has been found that forests with a fullness of 0.7-0.8 prevail here. The smallest proportion of forests with a completeness of 0.3-0.4.
 Keywords: forest, forest management, forestry and hunting enterprise

Tools for diagnosing the risk of strategic stability loss at forestry and hunting enterprises

Methods. The results have been obtained by applying the systems approach: system analysis allowed determining the functional criteria for economic stability of subsystems of the enterprise. The method of logical analysis made the logical basis for the study. The use of induction and deduction methods, analysis and synthesis allowed the authors to summarize the methodical principles and develop practical recommendations for the formation of tools for diagnosing the loss of stability of the enterprise. Methods of economic-statistical modeling allowed predicting the value of the integral index of loss of strategic stability. Results. The authors in the article offer a scientific and methodological approach to the formation of a tool for the diagnosis of the risk of strategic stability loss by enterprises. It is established that the basis of the tools is the results of assessing economic stability based on the use of the theory of fuzzy logic and fuzzy sets. The risk assessment tool for the loss of strategic stability involves the calculation of the integral index based on six subindexes, namely: the loss of financial, market, business, management, personnel and production stability. The risk zones of strategic stability are determined: qualitative development, slowdown, degradation and bifurcation. The practical use of the toolkit for diagnosis of the risk of strategic stability loss at Khmelnytsky ROFHF is demonstrated. Novelty. A set of measures to improve strategic stability management, in particular, the integral approach of economic stability assessment is used to develop recommendations for diagnosing and forecasting the integral risk index of strategic stability loss of Khmelnitsky ROFHF. Practical value lies in the possibility of applying the developed and provided approach for the formation of a tool for diagnosing the risk of strategic stability loss at enterprises in various sectors of the economy in order to increase the efficiency of their management. The obtained results, as well as the methodical recommendations, will contribute to the effective functioning of forestry and hunting enterprises and ensuring their stability.

The first data on the study of Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Heteroptera: Tingidae) in Kherson region of Ukraine

Oak lace bug (OLB) Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Heteroptera: Tingidae) is native to North America. In 2000 it got to Italy and has spread for recent 20 years in many countries in Europe. In 2017 OLB first registered in Kherson region of Ukraine. The aim of the research was to summarize the first data on oak lace bug spread in Ukraine. The studies were carried out in 2020 at 31 sample plots in the south-western part of the Kherson region (46°10 ' to 47°21' N, 32°10' to 33°05' E). The sample plots were located in forest stands, shelterbelts, and oaks in cities. The age of inspected stands is from 25 to 250 years old.
 The presence of oak lace bug and the threat to oak trees was assessed by a point system: 0 – OLB is absent; 1 – single, one egg mass per whole plot; 2 – rare, below 10% of trees damaged; 3 – common, OLB presents not in all trees, foliage damage up to 50%; 4 – widespread, OLB presents in all trees, foliage damage up to 100%. The weighted average score of OLB presence was evaluated for different groups of stands and some of their characteristics.
 The specimens of OLB and the traces of their vital activity were found at 19 sample plots (61,3%). At 51.6% of sample plots examined the OLB was common or widespread. The pest is widespread at 8 sample plots, including oaks in cities Kherson, Oleshki, and Hola Prystan, Doslidne forestry of the Steppe branch of Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry & Forest Melioration named after G.M. Vysotsky (URIFFM) and Burkutske forestry of the Velikokopanske Forest & Hunting Enterprise.
 Mean OLB score is higher in forests than in shelterbelts and has a trend to increase with oak age. The highest OLB infestation was assessed in the sample plots neighbouring city streets and forest roads and in the sample plots near the waterway. The proportion of SP with common and widespread OLB from all inhabited plots near city streets, forest roads, and waterways exceeds 80%.
 The data obtained can be considered preliminary, since the reproduction, distribution, and settlement of the oak lace bug in the territory of the Kherson region began only 2 years ago.

The role of hunting enterprises in forest exploitation

Global environmental changes and increased consumption of forest resources require special attention to forest exploitation. The relevance of studying the role of forest hunting in solving the problems of exploitation and regeneration of forest resources is justified by the need to switch to sustainable forest management, increase the biological stability and productivity of forests, strengthen water and soil protection, and ensure sanitary, recreational and other benefits of forests. The article substantiates that the future development of forestry should be based on the principles of sustainability; that is, in the process of regeneration and development of forests, environmental, economic and social goals should be taken into account. We have formulated the tasks and the role of forest hunting enterprises in forest exploitation. As structures engaged in integrated economic activity, forest hunting enterprises, with a rational approach, are able to reduce the risks of forestry activities and ensure environmental, economic and social effects. We have clarified that these effects can only be obtained if the balance between environmental, economic and social components of the sustainable development model is ensured. We have formulated the basic conditions that will allow forestry enterprises to carry out their tasks with maximum efficiency.

Reduction of carbon absorption capacity of forest stands in Zhytomyr Polissya due to the pine stands mortality

According to the signed climate Paris Agreement, Ukraine is faced with the task to prevent the global average air temperature from rising above 2,0 °C in order to avoid an increase in droughts, extinction of certain species of plants and animals, drying up and diseases of tree species, etc. To preserve and increase the number of natural carbon sinks, scientists pay attention in particular to the system of improving forest, soil, and other natural resources management. Among thirty main forest-forming species in Ukraine, Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) is the predominant tree species, in Zhytomyr Polissya, in particular, its amount is 388,4 thousand hectares, which is 59 % of all tree plantations.
 To establish the carbon absorption capacity of pine plantations of Zhytomyr Polissya, we have laid temporary test squares (CCIs) in state-owned enterprises: Baran Forestry hunting enterprise; Belokrovytsia Forestry; Gorodnitsky Forestry; Emilchinskoye Forestry; Zhytomyr Forestry; Korostensky hunting enterprise; Malinsky Forestry; People's Specialized Forestry; Novograd-Volyn Experienced Forestry; Ovruch Specialized Forestry; Olevsky Forestry; Slovenian Forestry Agribusiness.
 According to the methods of P. I. Lakida, A. A. Storochinsky, O. I. Poluboyarynova, A. S. Atkin, A. I. Kobzar, we established a phytomass of pine plantations in a completely dry state and obtained conversion coefficients that made it possible to estimate the difference between CO2 emissions and carbon sequestration. 
 The statistical analysis showed homogenous average height, but not for other indicators. We found a very asymmetric right distribution in terms of age, density, bonity, Volume of the trunk, and phytomass, moderate distribution in terms of average diameter and left distribution for average height. The excess factor indicated an acute vertex distribution by density and a flat-top distribution by all other indicators.
 The total area covered by forest vegetation of pine forest areas is 388.4 thousand hectares (according to the latest accounting for 01.01.2011), with a total stock of stem wood 102.7 million m3, accumulate in their phytomass 23.5 million tons of carbon. The density of the phytomass per 1 m2 of forested vegetation is 52.7 kg. Medieval pine plantations absorb the most carbon in Zhytomyr Polissya — 12.1 million tons.
 In recent years, there has been an increase in lost areas covered with forest vegetation under pine trees due to the damage by biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors.
 The loss of pine forest plantations for various reasons reduces the carbon absorption capacity of Zhytomyr Polissya forests, as pine stands are the vast majority in the study area - 59%.
 It is established that pine forest plantations of Zhytomyr Polissya in their phytomass accumulate 23.5 million tons of carbon per year. The density of carbon per 1 m2 of forested vegetation is 25.7 kg.
 It is found that medieval pine plantations absorb the most amount of carbon in Zhytomyr Polissya — 12.1 million tonnes.
 It has been established that lost forest plantations due to anthropogenic, biotic and abiotic factors,between 2010 and 2018, could sequestrate 0.17-0.33 million tonnes of carbon in their phytomass reducing the level of CO2 pollution from 10 to 47 %.

ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF FORESTRY ENTERPRISES OF THE MYKOLAYA REGION AS AN METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-CRISIS MANAGEMENT

The article presents an assessment of the financial condition of forestry enterprises in the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, which was conducted on the basis of calculations and analysis of indicators of liquidity, financial stability and bankruptcy. One of the methods of analysis of the financial state of the enterprise is applied, in particular, the analysis of financial ratios on the basis of financial form 1 «Balance». The article gives a brief description and normative values of the analyzed indicators, economic conclusions and conclusions for the implementation of the function of prevention through crisis management. For analysis, the financial statements of nine forestry enterprises of the Mykolayiv Regional Forestry and Hunting Enterprise, which own a significant portion of the forested lands of the region, were used to determine the presence of crisis phenomena or the state of bankruptcy at the enterprises, and to further develop and improve the anti-crisis mechanism. management. Analyzing these indicators, the manifestations of the crisis, in the last three years and at the end of 2019, it was not revealed. According to the indicators, the enterprises of the region are in a satisfactory financial condition. However, given the state financing of the industry, the features of forestry business, to draw conclusions about the financial condition of the studied enterprises would be inappropriate without taking into account other factors that may have a significant impact on the financial status of the enterprise. That is why the analysis of financial condition is the basis for the formation of a crisis management mechanism that reflects the true state of the enterprise. In view of this, it is recommended to develop a unified methodology for assessing the financial condition of the forestry enterprise, which will take into account the specifics of its activities, and the results obtained will serve as a basis for further analysis of the enterprise’s activities within the framework of the crisis management mechanism.

Zoohygienic and economic aspects of construction and operation of the average complex for the conservation of wild haves

The formation and development of a market-based management system for hunting in Ukraine require fundamentally new approaches to the organization of business management. The practical implementation of any commercial project is significantly complicated without a previously developed zoo-hygienically and economically sound business plan. The purpose of the study was to improve measures for the organization and operation of the aviary complex for the maintenance and breeding of wild ungulates. The work used sanitary-hygienic methods of scientific research, in addition applied theoretical analysis of scientific literary sources, synthesis, generalization, comparison, concretization. According to the results of the research on the basis of zoohygienic norms and economic calculations, the project of organization and development of the aviation complex “Hunting farm “Polisske-Sarny” is located near the village. Terrible of Sarnensky District on the lands of the State Forest Fund of Strashevsky Forestry of SE Sarnenskoye Forestry. The area of the enclosure is 146.7 ha, which is divided into 4 contours to hold the fallow deer, red deer, wild boar and European mouflon. Proposed measures for construction and operation of the aviary complex for keeping wild ungulates (fallow deer and mouflon European, as well as wild boar and red deer), owned by the Polisske-Sarny Hunting Enterprise. The total amount of capital investments for the creation of a cage for the maintenance of wild animals, including the cost of construction, purchase of livestock breeders is from 1337.1 thousand UAH. Due to the sale of animals to other farms, you can receive from 280–320 thousand UAH income per year. Taking into account the initial investments for the establishment of the aviary complex, the payback period is 3 years.

Динаміка популяцій воронових і їхній вплив на мисливську фауну Луганської області

Досліджено багаторічну (1983–2013 рр.) динаміку щільності популяцій птахів родини Воронових (Corvidae) у мисливських угіддях Щетівського лісництва Іванівського ДЛМГ Луганської області. Щільність популяцій визначено методом маршрутного обліку без обмеження смуги огляду та перераховувано на 1 км2 за середньою дальністю виявлення птахів. Встановлено, що за 30 років щільність популяції ворона в регіоні досліджень збільшилася в 11,5 раза – від 0,1 до 1,15 екз./км2, щільність популяції ворони сірої зменшилася в 11,1 раза – від 3,4 до 0,3 екз./км2, сороки – у 2,4 раза, граків і галок – у 9,2 та 2 рази відповідно, сойки – в 1,6 раза. Визначено тісний від'ємний зв'язок між щільністю популяцій ворона та інших досліджених видів воронових, найтісніший – між щільністю популяцій ворона та ворони сірої, з огляду на близьку екологію цих двох видів із перевагами ворона як більш великого та агресивного виду. Проаналізовано залежність щільності популяцій ворона, ворони сірої, сороки, грака, галки та сойки від особливостей живлення, місць поселення, шкоди для об'єктів полювання та антропогенних чинників (зміни системи обробітку ґрунту, структури посівних площ, ліквідації тваринницьких комплексів тощо). Рекомендовано спростити одержання дозволів на відстріл ворона, який завдає великої шкоди об'єктам полювання (крижню та іншим качкам, фазану, куріпці сірій та зайцю-русаку).

Red deer management and vegetation on the Isle of Rum

Summary Understanding the effects of red deer Cervus elaphus grazing on a range of plant communities is important for formulating guidelines for the management of forestry plantations, nature reserves and deer hunting enterprises. The effects of red deer on the species composition of plant communities varying in productivity were examined on the Isle of Rum, Inner Hebrides, north‐west Scotland. The study compared vegetation inside and outside fences erected to exclude deer for more than 20 years, and between areas of the island where different deer culling policies were instigated in 1991. The effect of the exclusion of deer was directly proportional to vegetation type. Long‐term deer exclusion (20–40 years) had negligible effects on the species composition of the most unproductive plant communities, but caused a marked decline in the species richness of productive grassland. The decline was due to the loss of prostrate herb species inside exclosures where Festuca rubra had assumed a high dominance. Changes in the size and sex ratio of the deer populations were not associated with major changes in plant species richness or relative abundance. The most notable change occurred in productive grassland. Here, Festuca rubra had greater cover and several low‐growing herbs such as Polygala serpyllifolia and Thymus polytrichus had lower cover in areas where hind numbers had been reduced than in areas where there was no culling. High deer densities within an unculled food‐limited population were associated with negligible effects on plants in Molinia caerulea flush and Calluna–Molinia wet heath vegetation. Tree regeneration inside the exclosures or in areas where deer were culled was minor; only two solitary rowan Sorbus aucuparia saplings were found. Flowerhead densities of herbaceous plant species and grasses showed trends that could be associated with cattle grazing. It is suggested that this may lead to changed recruitment, although seed sowing experiments are required to test this. The results suggest that red deer grazing sustains the plant species diversity of productive grasslands, with reduced deer grazing leading to the loss of plant species in these communities. In contrast, the effects of reduced deer densities and altered culling policies on unproductive vegetation types are negligible.

Multiple Use Management of California's Hardwood Rangelands

The importance of evaluating multiple resource values on rangelands is demonstrated in this study of California's 3.0 million hectares of oak-covered (Quercus spp.) hardwood rangelands. Production functions are derived for oak tree growth on rangelands for stands with at least 50% of the total tree cover in blue oak (Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn.) based on oak volume per acre and site index. Forage production is estimated based on oak cover, weather variables, growing period, and site factors from data reported in the literature. Hunting revenue and cost functions are derived from a survey of commercial hunting clubs, and are based on oak cover, hunter success variables, hunter demographics, advertising, livestock density, and club size. The interrelationship of these resource values is shown in output from an optimal control model that incorporates these production functions. Oak trees are gradually cleared for situations where cattle are the only economic product, whereas a residual tree canopy is maintained for cases where firewood and hunting enterprises are considered. In addition, cattle stocking is higher and net profitability is lower for the cattle only management scenario when compared with a multiple use management scenario. The development of these multiple use production functions allows the full range of resource management options to be considered.

Fee Hunting in the Texas Trans Pecos Area: A Descriptive and Economic Analysis

Previous studies of fee hunting have focused only on fee-hunting ranches with little consideration given to ranches that choose not to operate fee-hunting enterprises. Our study compares feed-hunting with non-fee-hunting ranches. The most important reasons given for engaging in fee hunting were increased income, trespass control, and prevention of nuisance requests for free hunts. The most important reason offered for choosing not to have fee hunting was to keep the ranch available for hunting by family and friends. The potential exists for a large expansion of private land fee hunting by current non-fee-hunting ranches. Ranchers with fee hunting were more likely to manage the grazing resources, wildlife population, and wildlife habitat than non-fee-hunting ranchers. The typical hunting enterprise in the Texas Trans Pecos ares provided a total annual net revenue of about $7,900. Average annual net grazing returns per livestock animal unit were smaller on fee-hunting ranches but fee-hunting revenue offset the difference. The fee-hunting enterprises also reduced risk by providing a second source of cash returns.

Solving Empirical Bioeconomic Models: A Rangeland Management Application

AbstractAn empirical bioeconomic model was developed for private ranches conducting firewood, cattle, and hunting enterprises on California's hardwood rangelands. Hunting, forage, cattle, and oak firewood production functions were derived. Nonlinear optimal control was used to solve for two state and four control variables to give optimal time pathways for oak density and cattle stocking. Risk was considered through use of chance constraints, rainfall variability, and price expectations. Commercial hunting is shown to be the dominant economic value on these rangelands. Inclusion of stochastics shifts production away from cattle to less risky firewood and hunting enterprises.