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Monitoring State environmental monitoring Monitoring of hunting resources and their habitats Irkutsk region 2022 dataCharacteristics of habitat conditions
The amount of precipitation in the part of the territory of the Irkutsk region included in the BPT in 2022 was about and less than usual, in the northern part – 1.5 times more than the average long-term values. In January, the amount of precipitation was recorded 1.5-2 times more than usual (on the coast of Lake Baikal by 2-3.5 times), in places in the northern part of the EZAV BPT, the amount of precipitation was about and less than the average multi–year values (70-90%). In February and March, precipitation was less than usual (40-80%), a positive anomaly (150-200%) was observed in places in the northern part of the EZAV BPT and on the coast of Lake Baikal. 15-20 days with precipitation were observed in January (5-10 days on the shore of Lake Baikal), from 2 to 10 days in February-March (up to 15 days in the north).
In April, in most of the territory, in May, a negative (40-80%, sometimes 10-40%) precipitation anomaly persisted throughout the territory. In the first half of May, precipitation fell in the form of snow and sleet, in the second half of the month in the form of heavy rains, sometimes with thunderstorms.
In the summer months, precipitation was frequent, 15-20 days were noted, in August up to 25 days with precipitation. During the summer period in the northern part of the territory, in June in the southern part of Lake Baikal, in July in most of the territory, precipitation exceeded the long–term average values by 1.5-2.5 times. Heavy rains, sometimes heavy, on some days reached the criteria of a dangerous phenomenon, were accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, increased wind. In June and August, a negative precipitation anomaly (40-80%) persisted in most of the territory.
In September, a positive precipitation anomaly (120-150%) persisted in the northern part, and 30-80% of the average long-term precipitation was observed in the rest of the territory. In October and November, precipitation in most of the territory was about and less than usual (20-70%), in October, in places in the south of the central zone, precipitation was 1.5–2 times more than usual. In December, only in the middle part of the Lake Baikal coast there was a negative precipitation anomaly (20-25%), in the rest of the territory precipitation fell more than usual (120-200%).
The formation of a stable snow cover occurred in late October – early November (in places in the central and southern parts – in mid-November), which is 5-15 days (in places in the central and southern parts 15-20) later than usual. By the end of the year, the height of the snow cover was 20-40 cm, in mountainous areas - 80 cm, on the shore of Lake Baikal – less than 10 cm, which is about 5-10 cm lower (in the southern part of the territory 5-10 cm higher) than the average long–term values.
Condition of hunting resources
Ungulates
Manchurian wapiti. One of the most widespread species of ungulates in the BNT. There has been a slight upward trend in the abundance of this species. In 2021, it was 27,483 individuals, which is 1,097 individuals higher than the 2020 estimate of 26,386 individuals. 625 permits were issued for the hunting of this species in the hunting season of 2020 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 525 individuals.
Wild boar. In recent years, a steady increase in the number of wild boar has been observed on the territory of the BNT. In 2021, it amounted to 4,082 individuals, which is higher than in 2020 (3,701 individuals). 315 permits were issued for the hunting of this species in the hunting season of 2021 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 235 individuals.
Musk deer. The representative of this species is one of the main resources of commercial hunting. In 2021, an increase in the number of musk deer to 32,382 individuals was noted compared to 2020 (30,412 individuals). 854 permits were issued for the hunting of this species in the hunting season of 2021 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 826 individuals.
Roe deer. In 2021, the number of this species was 55,072 individuals; compared to 2020, 49,670 individuals, the number increased by 5,402 individuals. 2436 permits were issued for the hunting of this species in the hunting season of 2021 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 2,015 individuals.
Elk. An analysis of the information processed in 2021 showed that within the BNT, the number of elk increased slightly, but increased and amounted to 12,906 individuals. In 2020, it was 12,020 individuals. 226 permits were issued for the hunting of this species in the hunting season of 2021 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 183 individuals.
Wild reindeer. The main habitats of the Tuturo-Khandinsky (Baikal) population of wild reindeer within the BNT are located on the territory of the Kachugsky and Kazachinsky-Lena districts; appears in limited numbers during autumn-winter migrations on the territory of the Osinsky district. The number of this group in 2021 is estimated at 2,301 individuals, which is 352 individuals more than in 2020. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the reindeer is a gregarious animal, and its distribution is uneven, therefore, the calculation of the number of this species according to the PMU method probably gives a significant error. 113 permits were issued for the hunting of wild reindeer in the hunting season of 2020 on the territory of the hunting grounds of the BNT; production amounted to 73 individuals.
Fur-bearing species
Sable. The habitats of this animal are confined to the lands of the mountain-taiga type; it also occurs in other biotopes. The migration of sable to settlements and the appearance in unusual habitats was noted. The state of the sable population is assessed as stable with small deviations in the direction of decrease or increase. Within the BPT, the largest part of the livestock is concentrated in Kazachinsko-Lena, Kachugsky, as well as Cheremkhovsky, Olkhonsky, Shelekhovsky and Slyudyansky districts. In 2022, 23,757 individuals (in 2021 - 22,939 individuals), an increase in the number of this species by 818 individuals was noted. In the hunting season of 2022-2023, 3,675 sables were harvested.
Protein.The post-field population of the species in 2022 was estimated at 74,085 individuals, which is 5,988 individuals less than in 2021 (80,073 individuals). The prey was 2,568 individuals.
White hare. A mass hunting resource for the implementation of amateur and pro-thought hunting. The number of white hare in 2022 is estimated at 35,016 individuals, which is 3,102 individuals higher than the level of 2021 (31,914 individuals). In the reporting period, production amounted to 1,549 individuals.
Hare-hare. The distribution of the species is mainly limited to the field and forest-steppe lands of the western part of the BPT. The post-field population in 2022 was 1,143 individuals, which is 952 individuals less than in 2021, when the number of this species was 2,095 individuals.
Columns. In 2022, the number of the animal was 1,002 individuals, which is lower than the level of 2021 (1,060 individuals). Seven columns were extracted.
Ermine. In most of the BPT, the potential of ermine as a hunting resource is not fully used. Reports provided by hunting users contain incomplete information about its production. In 2022, the post-field population is estimated at 2,218 individuals, which is 179 individuals more than in 202 (2,039 individuals). The prey was four individuals.
Fox. Within the framework of the population regulation program, due to the excess of the maximum number of hunting resources (per 1,000 hectares of hunting grounds) in 2022, decisions were made to regulate the number of foxes in the amount of 550 individuals, 75 of them were extracted. It is worth noting that this predator is one of the main carriers of rabies, and reducing its number is a necessary preventive measure in the fight against this disease. In addition, the high number of foxes negatively affects the state of populations of grouse birds. In 2022, the number of foxes is estimated at 4,459 individuals, in 2021 - 4,798 individuals. During the hunting season of 2022-2023, 719 foxes were harvested.
American mink.In the fauna of the Irkutsk region, the American mink is an acclimatized species. It was brought to the Slyudyansky district, eventually settled, and its habitat spread to almost all areas of the BPT. The assessment of the number of mink is formed based on the results of a survey of hunters. According to their data, within the BPT in 2022, the number of the animal was 5,684 individuals, in 2021 it was 6,997 individuals. The prey was 30 individuals.
Otter. The estimation of the otter population, as well as that of the mink, is based on the results of a survey of hunters. Within the BPT in 2022, its number was 573 individuals, in 2021 – 705 individuals. According to the Decree of the Government of the Irkutsk region dated 06.10.2009 No. 268/47-pp "On approval of the List of rare and endangered plants, animals and other organisms living (growing) on the territory of the Irkutsk region and included in the Red Book of the Irkutsk region", you are included in the Red Book of the Irkutsk region.
Muskrat. Just like the American mink, the muskrat is an acclimatized species. The number of muskrats varies greatly over the years, nevertheless it remains a massive species. Within the BPT in 2022, according to surveys of hunters, there were 81,195 individuals, in 2021 – 30,084 individuals of this animal. 176 individuals were extracted.
Badger. The main habitats of the badger are the southern and forest-steppe areas of the BPT. In 2022, the number was 7,353 individuals, in 2021 it was 4,443 individuals. The prey was 27 individuals.
Predators
Lynx. The number of lynx is more numerous. In 2022, its population was estimated at 751 individuals, which is 34 individuals more than in 2021 (717 individuals). The prey was 11 individuals.
Wolverine. The number of this predator species is still small. In 2022, it amounted to 64 individuals, in 2021 – 82 individuals.
Bear. During the accounting period, this wild animal is in a state of winter sleep, therefore, basic information about the state of numbers is obtained from hunters and by mapping individual areas of bears. In 2022, the number of predators within the boundaries of the BPT was 4,338 individuals, in 2021 it was 4,216 individuals. The bear's exits to populated areas are marked, which pose a threat to the health, life and property of citizens. This is primarily due to an increase in the number of unauthorized storage sites for solid household waste, to which predators go in search of easily accessible food, free-range cattle. Within the framework of measures to regulate the number of bears that pose a threat of harm to the health of citizens, objects of the animal world and their habitat (within the BPT), 10 decisions were made to shoot 13 individuals, of which five individuals were killed. A total of 93 bears were hunted during the hunting season 2022-2023.
Wolf.The number of wolves in 2022 increased and amounted to 1,613 individuals (in 2021 – 1,295 individuals). The high number of wolves is primarily due to the reduction in the size of the prey of this predator due to the prohibition of the use of barium fluoroacetate to regulate its number, the high financial cost of hunting it and the lack of professional wolf hunters. As part of the measures to regulate the number of wolves that pose a threat to the life and health of the population, a danger to livestock, one decision was made to regulate the number of predators by four individuals, one individual was extracted. Within the framework of the population regulation program, 53 decisions were made for the extraction of 1,122 individuals due to the excess of the maximum number of hunting resources (CCA-bay per 1,000 hectares of hunting grounds), 59 individuals were extracted. A total of 30 wolves were hunted during the hunting season 2022-2023.
Upland fowl
Capercaillie.In 2022, the post-field number of grouse was estimated at 84,801 individuals, which is 7,020 individuals less than in 2021 (91,821 individuals). The limit on the production of capercaillie, as well as on other types of feathered game, was not established; the commercial load on the population is regulated by daily and seasonal production rates. In the hunting season of 2022-2023, 1,515 grouse were harvested.
Grouse. In 2022, the post-field abundance of the species was estimated at 197,266, which is lower than in 2021 (332,608 individuals). It does not enter into commercial blanks, since the sale of these products has not yet been established. It is the main hunting resource for amateur hunting.
Grouse.In 2022, the post-field number of grouse, according to accounting data, was 158,264 individuals, which is 23,190 individuals below the level of 2021 (181,454 individuals). 148 individuals were extracted.
White partridge. This species lives mainly in the char and sub-ice zones of the Eastern Sayan and the Baikal Ridge. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of habitats, information about the number is not received in full. No special accounting work is carried out to estimate the number of this bird species. In 2022, as in 2021, the traces of habitation of these objects of the animal world were not marked by accounting works on the BPT.
Bearded (Daurian) partridge. For a long time hunting for the Daurian kuro-patka in the Irkutsk region was prohibited. Since 2010, in connection with the restoration of the population, the bearded partridge has been excluded from the list of specially protected objects of the animal world and is currently the main hunting resource for amateur hunting. The habitats of the species are confined to field hunting grounds. It lives mainly within the Kachugsky and Olkhonsky districts. It is also found in Ekhirit-Bulagatsky, Cheremkhovsky, Bayandaevsky and some other districts. Significant concentrations of this wild bird are observed in some habitats (Irkutsk, Usolsky districts). The total number of bearded partridge in 2022 was 28,768 individuals, which is 457 individuals higher than in 2021 (28,311 individuals).
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