Düsseldorf (dpa/lnw) - As a result of the corona pandemic and corresponding official requirements, the company hunts for small game species in the past 2021/2022 hunting period have largely failed. From the beginning of April 2021 to the end of March 2022, for example, fewer rabbits or wood pigeons were killed, the NRW Ministry for Agriculture and Consumer Protection announced on Friday.
According to the hunting route statistics, the persistent drought and other extreme weather conditions had a strong impact on the number of game animals in North Rhine-Westphalia. For example, the fourth year in a row with too little precipitation favored the increase in many wild populations. In addition, the mild winter reduced mortality, especially among wild boar. Storms and extreme summer droughts promoted bark beetle infestation and thus provided more light in the forests, which in turn allowed herbs and shrubs to grow more vigorously. Animals would have additional cover and sometimes optimal feeding conditions - the wild stocks increased.
"The corona pandemic and periods of extreme weather have left clear traces on the hunting route," said NRW Minister Silke Gorißen (CDU). "In order for our climate-adapted forest of the future to be able to grow, we also need adapted game stocks. Therefore, I would like to thank all hunters who, year after year, work with great commitment, even under difficult circumstances, to achieve a balance between forest and game and thus make a contribution to reforestation Afford."
Despite the corona restrictions, more wild animals were shot again overall. In 2021/22, the number of roe deer hunted (hunting stretches) reached a high of 117,496. About 2,100 more deer were shot than in the previous year (2020/21: 115,362 deer). The numbers for red deer and fallow deer were also higher than in the same period of the previous year. In the case of wild boar (49,566 pieces), the numbers even rose by 45 percent. However, the hunters are still a long way from the peak value from the 2017/18 hunting year (66,079).
According to the ministry, hunting the growing wild boar populations also helps protect against African swine fever (ASF). The animal disease has spread in Europe in recent years. Germany has been affected since September 2020. More than 4,000 wild boars infected with the disease have now been found in several East German countries.
The term "hunting range" refers to the total amount of prey hunted down within a certain period of time and area and is in this sense a synonym for "hunting numbers" or "hunting statistics".
