Hunting 4964 Grisons deer to be shot in 2024
This year, 4964 deer are to be shot to prevent damage to Graubünden's forests. The Graubünden hunting community has already reduced the population in recent years. Compared to 2020, there were around 2065 fewer deer in the canton of Graubünden last year. But they also got help from the wolves.
27.06.2024, 10:29
27.06.2024, 13:16
SDA
When deer nibble on trees, they can die. If too many deer make a mess of the forest, it is at risk. Deer damage is extensive in various regions of Graubünden, and only a healthy and well-structured forest can adequately protect the population.
Estimates from spring 2024 showed 14,225 deer in the canton of Graubünden. In 2023 there were still 15,110 deer. Especially in the regions with forest-deer problems (Surselva, Mittelbünden, Heinzenberg and Vorderprättigau), the population could be reduced, as the Graubünden Office for Hunting and Fishing (AJF) wrote on Thursday.
Influence of the wolves noticeable
The influence of wolves in terms of reducing game populations is also noticeable, said Lukas Walser, head of the AJF department, in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency. There are no figures on this, but in regions with a strong wolf presence, the decline in the deer population is relatively large.
Since the wolf returned to Graubünden in 2012, the AJF has observed an increased number of kills of young or weakened deer. The regulations caused by the wolf are comparable to a harsh winter, Walser continues. However, hunters are needed to further reduce the population.
According to the AJF, in addition to the almost 5,000 deer, they should also shoot many roe deer and chamois. Even Graubünden's heraldic animal is not excluded from regulation. The canton wants to have 634 ibexes shot in 2024. However, this is not due to damage caused by game, but because the population is too high.
Never before so many ibex
Never before since the ibex were reintroduced over 100 years ago have there been as many animals as there are now. The AJF counted 7245 ibex in 2023. If there are too many, they are more susceptible to disease or drive other species such as chamois out of their habitats.
According to Walser, damage caused by game is less of a problem in these habitats. However, if populations continue to increase, the ibex could spread into the steep forest and cause damage there too.
However, hunting the protected animal is highly regulated. Each buck is assigned to a hunter. Before it can be shot, however, a roebuck must be shot. Last year, a regulation hunt for ibex was also launched with the aim of curbing the population somewhat.
