Hunting and wildlife management in Denmark

Niels KanstrupDanish Hunters’ Association

Hunting rightOwnershipFree hunting at sea

WildlifeWaterbirds, small game, deer

Hunters160,000 licence holders90,000 members of DHA

Members 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2006

Chairman – independent

Danish Hunters’ AssociationDanish Society for the Protection of NatureDansk Agriculture 2 membersBirdlife DenmarkDanish Forestry SocietyAnimal WelfareThe Outdoor CouncilDanish Fishery OrganisationWorld Wildlife Fund

Co-management – DK example IWildlife Management Council

Established 1979 Legal basis:

Act for Hunting and Wildlife Management

Advises the Minister of the Environment in management of wildlife

Wildlife = Wild mammals and birds

Annual income

160.000 hunters x 500 DKK

= 80 mil. DKK

Co-management - Example IIHunting licence fee

Established 1931

Legal basis:

Act for Hunting and Wildlife Management

Spendings:

Wildlife ManagementResearchWildlife ReservesGrant to NGOs

Mandatory

Report from all hunters

Total annual bag: 2,7 game

Co-management - Example IIIBag statistics and analysis

Established 1941

Legal basis:

Act for Hunting and Wildlife Management

Volountary

Wing survey

Total annual return: 10,000 wings

Established 1979

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

♀♂

National Norest and Nature Agency Districts invite local hunters to advise on nature management and hunting management in the local area.

Co-management - Example IV”Hunters’ Fora”

Established 2001

Funded by Hunting Licence Fund

Central initiative

Co-management - Example VWildlife Reserves i EEC SPAs

1992-2002

40-50 proposals

Users invited in the local areas:Groups and subgroups

Central Committee involved

Result45 new reserves: Core areas + zoning

Initiative by Wildlife Management Council

Co-management - Example VIGuidelines for ethical hunting

Implemented by Danish Hunters’ Association

Builds on 6 ”regards”:•to Public opinion regarding hunting •to game populations •for the individual game that you hunt •for non-hunters•to your hunting companions •to safety

The EU and its impact on hunting

The need of international cooperation

• Regional (f.x. Nordic/Baltic)

• European

• Global

• Migratory species

• Climate and oceans

• Utilization and trade

The European Council

Heads of states/governments

The Commission

25 members appointed by Governments

The Council of Ministers

One minister per land.

The European Parlament

732 members elected by the European citizens

The Court

15 judges and 9 Advocats General

Den European Union

There is no EU hunting policy... but:

There are a number of Regulations and Directives likely to directly or

indirectly affect hunting in practice

European legislation from a hunter’s point of view

Protection, management and regulation of wild birds

Lays down rules for their exploitation

Hunting prohibited « during the various stages of

reproduction or during their return to their rearing grounds » Derogations are possible

Special Protection Area

Lists of huntable birds

"Birds" Directive79/409/EEC

Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and

flora Exclusive protection of the species mentioned in its annexes

Derogations enabling strictly controlled hunting

Creation of a European Network of protected areas - Natura 2000

"Habitats" Directive92/43/EEC

113 danske EF-Fuglebeskyttelsesområderog 254 Habitatområder

                             

Stakeholders

• Hunting management in the Nordic area

• Promotion og the Nordic wildlife management and hunting traditions

• Seven members

• Secretariat by Danish Hunters’ Assocation

• ”Watch dog” in Bruxelles

• 32 members in European countries

• FACE represents 7-8 mio. European hunters.

• Established1930. • Global• Open to organisations, governments, experts and private

persons• Sustainable utilisation of nature resources• Engage communities in nature conservation and inform about

the role of hunting• Commissions: Big Game, Migratory Birds, Small Game etc

Other organisatios:

BirdLife International

Bird protection

European Environmental Bureau

Europæisk Naturfredning

COPA / ELO

Agriculture

Other organisations