Damage caused by red deer (Cervus elaphus) & wild boar (Sus scrofa) in forest hunting grounds in Serbia

Abstract

The systematic study and assessment of the damage by big game in forest hunting grounds in Serbia was infrequent, although the damage was evident. The objective of this paper is to identify the rates and types of damage by red deer and wild boar at three localities: (1) fenced part of the hunting ground 'Crni Lug' (Srem), (2) fenced part of the hunting ground 'Podunavsko Loviste Plavna' (Southwestern Backa), and (3) fenced rearing centre 'Lomnicka Reka' (Mt. Veliki Jastrebac). The damage was not recorded on locality (1). The damage on locality (2) (new polar plantations) and locality (3) (beech forests) was caused by red deer. The main causes of the damage were excessive density and disturbed population structure (sex and age), nonharmonised forest and hunting management, shortage of natural food, especially of pasture areas.