Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen

• Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen:– is a public organization uniting the regional

associations and unions of hunters and fishermen and coordinating their activities.

– Our organization carries on traditions of Society for Fair Hunting and Fishery founded in Lithuania in 1920 at the initiative of Prof. T.Ivanauskas and other nature lovers, forestry experts and well-known people of those times.

• History

– In pre-war time before 1940 the Society was a part of International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) and restored its membership there in 1991.

– Since 2004 Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen is a member of Federation of Associations for Game and Wildlife Conservation of European Union (FACE).

– Publications 1927 to 1940: magazine “Medžiotojas“ (“The Hunter), then “Hunter and Fisherman” and now “Hunting and Hunter .

• Main goals of the association:– Promotion of nature protection, ethical hunting and fishing – Propagation of hunting and fishing traditions– Protection and regulation of fish, birds and wild animals’

populations– Improving qualifications of hunters and fishermen– Development of hunting dogs breeding– Organization of exhibitions of hunters and fishermen’s

trophies, hunting dogs as well as competitions and conferences

– Active participation in activities of international organizations and cooperation with hunters and fishermen’s associations of neighbouring countries.

• Structure:– The Association unites regional societies and unions of hunters

and fishermen which, in turn, incorporate circles and clubs within their districts.

– With only 18 ths hunters in Lithuania as recently as 1985, currently 30 ths hunters and over 37 ths fishermen are members of Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen incorporating 46 regional societies and unions of hunters and fishermen.

– The Association administers hunting on the basis of not only its internal experience and that of hunters in other countries but also recommendations of scientists. Therefore projects are implemented in individual areas, based on principles of growth in populations of animals, which determine the biotechnical methods for managing the hunting practices.

Influence of Lithuania's hunting law on the populations of hunted animals.

The Hunting Law of the Republic of Lithuania 2002

• Main provisions:

• 1. The wild animals are state property

• 2. The minimum area of one hunting-ground is 1,000 ha

• Owner of the land is entitled to » Forbid hunting on his/her property (land)» Receive compensation for damages caused by wild animals» Hunt on his/her property (land) under the agreed conditions

• Positive outcomes:

– 900 hunting-grounds have been formed

– Hunting-grounds of the area of 5,000-7,000 ha prevail

– Number of conflicts between land owners and hunters decreased significantly

– Populations of ungulates have flourished

Conditions of Game Animal Populations in Lithuania

European elk (Alces alces) Estimated population size and hunting 1934 - 2010

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RED DEER Estimated population size and hunting 1939-

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ROE Estimated population size and hunting 1934-2010

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WILD BOAR Estimated population size and hunting 1939-2010

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Condition of beaver populations in Lithuania

About 100,000 beavers live in Lithuania, with average population density of up to 4 families per 1,000 ha

Negative outcomes

• Dissatisfied big landowners and political forces representing them

• Imposed limits and other regulatory restrictions on hunting prevents hunters from managing the populations of ungulates independently, resulting in increasing impact on the environment.

Effects of hunting (M) and deaths on the road (Ž) on the fair game populations

2006 M Ž* Ž%

Briedis 112 47 42,0 T. elnias 766 7 0,9 Šernas 16554 62 0,4 Stirna 15181 356 2,3 Bebras 5359 1 0,02 Kiškis 5546 21 0,4 Barsukas 22 Lapė 13831 4 0,03 Mangutas 3055 1 0,03 Kiaunė 972 Audinė 95

Effects of hunting (M) and deaths on the road (Ž) on the fair game populations

2007 M Ž* Ž%

Briedis 149 64 43,0 T. elnias 869 11 1,3 Šernas 17800 84 0,5 Stirna 16590 484 2,9 Bebras 12473 2 0,0 Kiškis 4269 19 0,4 Barsukas 16 1 6,3 Lapė 12634 17 0,1 Mangutas 4678 Kiaunė 1049 Audinė 110

MooseRed deerWild boarRoe deerBeaverHareBadgerFoxRaccoon dogMartenMink

Effects of hunting (M) and deaths on the road (Ž) on the fair game populations

2008 M Ž* Ž%

Briedis 173 60 34,7 T. elnias 1027 6 0,6 Šernas 22366 100 0,4 Stirna 17863 515 2,9 Bebras 12702 Kiškis 3624 11 0,3 Barsukas 15 Lapė 12646 19 0,2 Mangutas 5554 15000** ~300 Kiaunė 1033 Audinė 109

European elkRed deerWild boarRoe deerBeaverEuropean hareBadgerFoxRaccoon dogMartenMink

Effects of hunting (M) and deaths on the road (Ž) on the fair game populations

2009 M Ž* Ž** Ž%

Briedis 112 33 30 56,3 T. elnias 1158 7 35 3,6 Šernas 35814 60 200 0,7 Stirna 18766 410 150 3,0 Bebras 13593 60 0,4 Kiškis 5005 5 400 8,1 Barsukas 29 160 ~550 Lapė 21900 9 2300 10,5 Mangutas 7061 2 5500 77,9 Kiaunė 867 1 2200 ~250 Audinė 95 44 46,3

European elkRed deerWild boarRoe deerBeaverEuropean HareBadgerFoxRaccoon dogMartenMink

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