Hunted Wildlife Biology and the Application of Its Methods in the North of European Russia

Abstract

Ways to augment the productivity of hunting grounds in the boreal zone of European Russia are discussed. Both passive manipulation – utilization of the regional features of forest management and agriculture, and active methods – planting of food plots, establishment of feeding stations, organization of mineral supplementation for wildlife, are considered. Many game management methods successfully used in well-organized game ranches in Central Russia were found to poorly perform in the vast expanses of middle and northern taiga, where the density of hunted wildlife populations is rather low. The greatest effect is gained from the measures that enhance food and shelter availability in game ranches even in the seasons most strenuous for the animals.

Keywords

• game ranching
• game management
• wildlife
• conservation biology measures
• supplemental feeding
• mineral supplementation
• hunting ground management