Hunting

Less carrion

In addition to shot game, losses constantly occur due to road traffic, unfavorable weather conditions or disease. For the hunting year 2010/2011, 132 000 losses of this kind were reported, 9.4% less than in 2009/2010. Due to Road traffic only 36 100 deer (-2.7%), 24 200 hares (-11.7%) and 8 600 pheasants (-11.1%) were killed.

Hunting protection bodies and permits

In Austria 20 000 hunting protection bodies are available, thereof 747 professional hunter/huntresses (-3.5%) as well as 19 200 other hunting protection bodies (+0.1%). The total number of valid annual permits for game hunting remained rather stable at 120 000 (+1.0%). Furthermore 10 400 guest hunter permits (-2.9%) were released.

Methodological information

The entire hunting process is regulated by legislation at federal province level defining the "hunting year", which varies from region to region. In Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg and Vienna it corresponds to the calendar year, while the hunting year lasts from 1 February to 31 January in Burgenland and from 1 April to 31 March in the remaining four Länder (federal provinces).

Hoofed game shot (except wild boars) is negotiated and defined territory-related between the district authorities concerned, hunting provision- or hunting holder as well as a body representing the interests of the hunters. This is issued by the ordinance of the land. For all other game species a hunting plan is generated, however, it is not under any legal regulation. Furthermore hunting seasons and closed seasons are prescribed. Tasks and goals of the game law focus in particular on game keeping, the hunting- and biotope protection as well as sustainable utilization of wildlife, all in all on an improvement of the quality of life resp. the living conditions of diverse wildlife species. Furthermore - in view of agricultural and forestry interests - stocks regarded as excessive are reduced by hunting.