Red deer management in the Black Forest: Experts in dialogue for the future!

Red deer management in the Black Forest: Experts in dialogue for the future!

An expert discussion on deer management in Baden-Württemberg was recently held in Baiersbronn. Invited by state parliament member Reinhold Pix (Greens), around 25 participants from the areas of hunting, forestry, science and politics gathered to develop an ecologically sensible and conflict-free concept for deer management. High-ranking representatives of the Forestry Experimental and Research Institute (FVA), the Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection (MLR), forest owners and the state hunting association were also present.

Max Kröschel from the FVA gave exciting insights into the results of the Northern Black Forest red deer concept and the nationwide red deer study. The need to promote the genetic exchange of red deer populations in Baden-Württemberg and to improve their networking was particularly emphasized. The MLR representative Jörg Ziegler introduced the newly founded working group (AG) Rotwild, which will deal intensively with these topics.

Challenges and solutions

A big topic was the challenge of wildlife damage, climate change and leisure pressure, which Marius Rebstock, forestry department manager in Baiersbronn, discussed in detail. The forest owners demanded financially sustainable management. René Greiner, managing director of the state hunting association, emphasized the importance of a better biotope network and a detailed examination of the red deer distribution areas.

The discussion sessions also focused on local management measures and binding targets. A variety of suggestions have been made to improve the situation: from increasing the number of male deer, to promoting conservation communities and intensifying cooperation between all those involved. Reinhold Pix made it clear that new forms of cooperation between administration, research, hunting and forest ownership are necessary in order to tackle the challenges together.

Deer distribution under observation

But what about the distribution of red deer in Baden-Württemberg? According to information from the FVA The red deer areas in the country are clearly identified, while the shooting requirement applies outside these areas. Nevertheless, the 2018 wildlife report shows that deer occur outside of these designated areas. Analysis of the spatial and temporal evolution of deer populations within the areas is ongoing. The hunting statistics data are also placed in relation to camera trap studies in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the deer density and the population structure.

Everyone involved agrees: the dialogue must be continued in order to ensure sustainable red deer management in Baden-Württemberg. This is the only way to meet the challenges in a sustainable and responsible way.