Environmental monitoring of Lake Baikal

Monitoring of hunting resources and their habitats

Irkutsk region

Characteristics of habitat conditions

In January and February 2017, the meteorological conditions in most of the BNT (Baikal Natural Territory) areas did not show anomalous deviations. The weather was characterized by rather low temperatures. In the northern regions of the BNT (Kazachinsko-Lensky, Kachugsky), the temperature dropped to –45 degrees and lower, in the southern regions it dropped to –35 degrees. At the end of March - beginning of April, the extreme daytime and nighttime temperature changes resulted in formation of ice crust. This adversely affected the survival of wild ungulate animals, as it contributed towards their death from predatory activity of wolves and poachers.

In 2017, spring came (including the breakup on rivers) in mid-April. Spill of flood waters did not significantly affect the state of wildlife populations. The spring period was distinguished by warm stable weather. Meteorological conditions of the spring and summer period of 2017 were characterized by dry and hot weather in the most part of the region. Due to rare precipitation during the spring period (April-May), ground fires were widespread. The most significant damage from forest fires was caused to hunting grounds near-highway districts and the areas adjacent to Lake Baikal. Fires covered from 15 to 20 % of the forest area. The impact of fires adversely affected the fauna of the areas subject to pyrogenic exposure.

The period from June to July 2017 was noted for warm and dry weather, in most areas of the region there was a drought, which resulted in forest fires, the majority of which was registered in the northern areas of the region. Conditions were favourable for waterfowl and grouse birds’ breeding.

Late spring frosts were insignificant, the flowering of most species of berry-producing shrubs was satisfactory. The yield of berry shrubs (blueberries, bog blueberries and lingonberries) was rated as “poor” in the central and southern areas of the region.

The crop of seeds of cedar and Siberian dwarf pine in most areas of BNT was evaluated as “poor” or “average”.. Warm and wet weather in August had a positive effect on the yield of pore and plastic fungi.

In general, the feed situation for typical taiga species of game animals (sable, bear) in 2017 was evaluated as “poor”.

Amount of feed for most species of wild ungulates and hares (white hare, brown hare) in the snow-free period was high. This was provided with significant stocks of twigs (aspen, birch, willow) and grassy fodder (cereals, legumes), which concentrated in vast areas of overgrowing fire-sites and cuttings.

The mating period of elks, red deer and roe deer occurred within the expected timeframes.

In general, the autumn and winter period of 2017 in the BNT was snowy and cold. The first half of winter was not distinguished by strong and prolonged frosts. The air temperature in this period corresponded to mean annual indicators.

As before, high impact of anthropogenic factors, including hunting and industrial factors, on the habitat of wild animals in the BNT is observed. Almost in every district large-scale logging is carried out. Volumes of both legal and illegal logging increase annually. In Kazachinsko-Lensky District and in a number of other areas of BNT exploration and development of mineral deposits intensified, including oil and gas. Due to the anthropogenic factors, especially as a result of industrial forest felling, there is a reduction in the habitat area of typical taiga species of animals and birds (squirrels, wood grouse and hazel grouse). Other wild animals like foxes, on the contrary, expand their natural habitat. Sables are coping reasonably well with their habitat’s changing. Traces of this typical taiga animal are often observed in landscapes transformed by human (burning, felling, thinned-out wood)..

Condition of hunting resources

The change in take of main types of game animals within the boundaries of BNT (in Irkutsk region)
The change in population of main species of game animals within the boundaries of BNT (in Irkutsk region)
Population of main species of game animals within the boundaries of BNT (in Irkutsk region) in 2004-2017

Ungulates

Manchurian wapiti It is one of the most common species of ungulate animals in the BNT. Manchurian wapiti adapts to habitat change better than elk. As compared to 2016, an increase in the number of manchurian wapiti was registered - up to 23,273 individuals. During the 2016–2017autumn and winter hunting season, the harvest of wapiti in the BNT was 294 individuals.

Wild boar In recent years, the abundance of wild boars has been growing in the BNT. In 2017, it was estimated at 2,117 individuals, more than in 2016. (1,768 individuals). During the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season, 187 individuals were harvested

Musk deer. It is one of the main subjects of commercial hunting. In 2017, an increase in the abundance of musk deer was registered - up to 23,871 individuals. During the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season, the official harvest within the BNT was 620 individuals.

Roe deer. In 2017, the abundance of the species reached 38,693 individuals. In comparison with 2016, the abundance increased by 9 %. The limit of the roe deer harvest during the 2016–2017 autumn-winter hunting season was increased, under returned permits 1,424 roe deer were harvested.

Elk. The analysis of the elk resources status shows that in recent years there has been a tendency towards an increase in the number of species within the BNT. In 2017, the post-harvest abundance of elk was 10,396 individuals. In comparison with 2016, the abundance increased by 4 %. During the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season, the volume of the official harvest under returned permits amounted to 61 individuals.

Wild reindeer. The Altai-Sayan population of the forest reindeer subspecies is listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Within the BNT, the habitat of these wild animals is registered only in its western part, in a limited area (Cheremkhovsky, Usolsky, Slyudyansky Districts). The abundance does not exceed a few dozen. The 2017 winter route census did not register reindeer in these areas. The main habitats of the Tuturo-Khandinsky (Baikal) population within the BNT are located in the territory of Kachugsky and Kazachinsko-Lensky Districts, and the population appears in a limited number in the territory of Osinsky District during autumn-winter migrations. In 2017, the abundance of this group was estimated at 2,615 individuals, which is 1 individual less than in 2016. Permits are issued mainly to Evenk hunters. In the 2016–2017 season, they harvested 56 individuals.

Fur-bearing species

Squirrel. In 2017, the postharvest number of the species was estimated at 102,956 individuals, it is more than in 2016. (91,270 individuals). Information on the volume of official harvest during the 2015–2016 season amounted to 2,097 individuals. The actual harvest is higher, since not all hunting farms provide reported data on the harvest volume of fur-bearing animals.

Sable. This wild animal inhabits the lands of mountain-taiga type, but it is also found in other biotopes. The most livestock is concentrated in Kazachinsko-Lensky, Kachugsky Districts, as well as Cheremkhovsky, Olkhonsky, Shelekhovsky and Slyudyansky Districts. In 2017, the abundance of the species reduced by 0.7 %, to 22,024 individuals (in 2016 - 22,176 individuals). During the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season, the volume of official harvest was 3,777 individuals.

Arctic hare. It is a mass subject of amateur and commercial hunting. In 2017, the abundance of arctic hare amounted to 30,760 individuals, which is more than in 2016. (28,451 individuals). According to incomplete data, 648 arctic hare individuals were harvested during the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season. In fact, the harvest is 3-4 times bigger.

Brown hare. The species distribution is limited mainly to the field and forest-steppe lands in the western part of the BNT. The post-harvest abundance does not exceed 450–500 individuals.

Siberian weasel. In 2017, the animal abundance is estimated at 1,864 individuals, which is more than in 2016. (1,384 individuals). According to the official data, about 49 individuals were harvested during the 2016–2017 hunting season.

Ermine. In the most part of the BNT, ermine resources are not fully utilized. The reports of hunting farms contain incomplete information on its harvest. During the 2016-2017 hunting season, the most probable volume of the animal harvest is 150–200 individuals. The population decreased. In 2017, the post-harvest abundance was estimated at 2,200 individuals (in 2016 - 3,500 individuals).

Fox. In 2017, the abundance of foxes was 2,500 individuals, which corresponds to the long-term annual average data for a ten-year period. During the 2016–2017 autumn and winter hunting season, 147 individuals were harvested. The actual volume of the harvest is much bigger, since the main part of the harvested fox pelts end up with hunters for personal use. The harvest volume can be increased by 2–3 times without prejudice to the population. The fox is one of the main carriers of rabies. Reducing its number is a necessary preventive measure in the fight against this disease. In addition, the high abundance of this predator negatively affects the state of the grouse populations.

American mink, otter. Estimation of the mink and otter abundance is based on data from a hunter polls. According to their data, about 800 individuals of mink and 50 individuals of otter lived within the BNT in 2017. Within the BNT, the otter is few in number. The otter is listed in the regional Red Data Book. Hunting on the otter is forbidden. The mink is harvested in small quantities within the BNT.

Musk beaver. Just like the American mink, it is an acclimatized species. The musk beaver abundance varies greatly over the years, however, it remains a massive species. According to hunter polls, there were about 3,000 musk beavers in 2017. The official harvest volume is not large - 100 wild animals. The actual harvest is approximately ten or more times larger.

Badger. The main habitats of the badger are the southern and forest-steppe areas of the BNT. In 2017, the abundance was approximately 460 individuals. It is a subject of amateur and sport hunting, it has no commercial value. The established limit of the badger harvest was 105 individuals during the 2016-2017 hunting season, the official harvest volume under the returned permits was 13 individuals.

Predators

Lynx. According to WRC, the abundance of the species is 398 individuals in 2017, which is 11.2 % more than in 2016. In the 2016–2017 hunting season, 9 individuals were harvested.

Bear. The abundance of species in 2017, as compared with the previous year, increased by 16.3 % and amounted to 720 individuals. In 2017, 28 bear individuals were harvested.

Wolf. In 2017, the abundance of wolves, as compared with 2016, increased by 71.7 % and amounted to 642 individuals. In 2017, 32 individuals were harvested.

Upland fowl

Wood grouse. According to the WRC data for 2016, the post-harvest abundance of ordinary and stone wood grouse increased in 2017 in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 61,715 individuals (in 2016 - 57,490 individuals). In the 2016–2017 hunting season 292 bird individuals were harvested.

Hazel grouse. It is used as an object for amateur hunting. As compared with 2016, the post harvest abundance of the species increased in 2017 and was estimated at 285,990 individuals. Climate conditions in the precocial period have a significant effect on the status of boron game populations, also a significant anthropogenic effect comes from the use of forests, fires and other activities. During the 2016–2017 hunting season 3,725 individuals were harvested.

Black grouse. According to the WRC data for 2016, the post-harvest abundance of black grouses in the territory of the republic increased in 2017, and amounted to 83,003 individuals. In the 2016–2017 hunting season 440 individuals were harvested.

White grouse. It inhabits mainly goltsy and subgoltsy belts. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of habitats, the information on its number is not fully received. In 2017, the abundance of the species was 52,315 individuals. It is harvested by chance encounters.

Daurian partridge. Habitats are confined to field lands. According to the data for 2017, the total abundance of Daurian partridges in the BNT was 153,152 individuals. During 2016–2017 hunting season, 1220 partridges were harvested.