It is not only here in Latvia that lively discussions are under way about ungulate hunting and the search for the right approach, about the development of forestry and the responsibilities of hunting clubs. These questions are also being tackled actively, and with considerable success, in Germany.
The new Guidelines on the management of game ungulates issued by the Ministry of Forestry and Hunting of the federal state of Hesse were drawn up together with forest owners and hunters. They are "beneficial" both for forests and for game populations.
Hesse's Minister for Forestry and Hunting, Ingmar Jung, brought together representatives of Hesse's rural regions to address an important and topical issue jointly. Together with the Hesse Forest Owners' Association, the Hesse Hunters' Association and the Hesse Forestry Department, a new version of the Hesse Forestry Guidelines was drawn up. The new guidelines offer specially tailored solutions for sustainable, forestry-friendly ungulate hunting in the federal state of Hesse.
The interested parties must reach agreement
Ingmar Jung expressed his thanks for the businesslike cooperation that has made it possible to return to practical politics: "Active and meaningful representation of rural areas succeeds when everyone comes together and works out pragmatic solutions jointly. With the new directive on ungulates we have found more than just a compromise – we have created a practical and sustainable basis in which the interests of all parties concerned are taken into account in a balanced way."
The new directive includes several significant innovations aimed at sustainably improving the interaction between forestry and game animals. One of the key aspects is the broadening of the remit of game management organisations (in Latvia these would be hunting clubs – editor's note). In future they will have greater freedom of action in hunting planning, provided that the impact of game animals – for example damage to young stands and sowings – does not exceed the set limits. This will make it possible to manage game populations more in line with local conditions.
The directive introduces a three-tier system
Alongside the new directive, a three-tier system is being introduced. It takes effect if the impact of game animals exceeds the set limits. The aim of this measure is to ensure a balance between the development of forestry and game populations.
A new provision has been included on hunting planning in the migration corridors between areas inhabited by red deer. These officially designated areas between red deer territories are intended to ensure genetic exchange between individual red deer populations. In order to encourage deer migration and thereby safeguard the genetic diversity of deer populations, deer may not be hunted in these so-called long-distance migration corridors.
"It is very gratifying that the new directive once again strengthens hunting communities, as called for by LandesJagtVerband Hessen (LJV) – (the Hesse state hunting association (LJV) is a union of 53 Hessian hunting clubs and six supporting club members. The LJV represents the interests of some 20,000 Hessian hunters within the federal state and in society at large, which is roughly 85% of all registered hunters in Hesse. LJV Hessen is a member of the German Hunting Association, which in turn brings together 15 German state hunting associations). The introduction of the directive proves that species protection and hunting go hand in hand. The regulation of migration corridors in particular promotes genetic exchange between areas inhabited by red deer – something scientists have consistently called for," stresses the President of the Hesse state Hunters' Association, Professor Dr Jürgen Ellenberger.
The President of the Hesse Forest Owners' Association, Prince Karl Anton (Fürst zu Waldeck und Pyrmont), on the new directive: "This compromise was not an easy one, but it was necessary in order to establish a common basis for protecting climate-resilient forest regeneration. Our goal is to regulate ungulate populations across the whole of Hesse over the next five years. In the new rules we see an opportunity for hunters to exercise their powers in coordination with forest owners and state institutions, and to ensure that game populations are brought into balance."
Ingmar Jung on the new rules: "The new directive is founded on responsible and coordinated action by hunters, forest owners and nature conservation organisations. It is based on findings from wildlife biology and provides a practical basis for the sustainable management of ungulates, with the clear aim of achieving a healthy balance between forest management and game animals."
The new guidelines on the management of ungulate populations create a basis for the sustainable development of game species while taking into account the interests of multifunctional forestry and species protection. Hesse's Minister for Forestry and Hunting is convinced that this balanced solution will help to support Hesse's forest owners in regenerating forests and adapting them to climate change, while ensuring responsible hunting practice.