Hunting

Game casualties slightly increased

Game may suffer losses due to road traffic, unfavourable weather conditions or diseases. For the hunting year 2019/2020, 138 000 head of suchlike losses were reported in total (+3.5% compared to 2018/2019). Thereof alone road traffic caused the death of 80 700 wild animals (+6.9%), among others 41 500 head roe deer (+1.5%), 23 500 hares (+19.1%) and 6 300 pheasants (-0.9%).

Slightly less annual hunting permits

With a total of 131 000, the number of valid annual permits for game hunting slightly decreased (-0.5%). Furthermore, 12 000 guest hunting permits (-4.5%) 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 in Burgenland lasts from 1 February to 31 January and in the remaining four Laender (federal provinces) from 1 April to 31 March.

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 federal provinces. 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 utilisation of wildlife, all in all on an improvement of the quality of life respectively the living conditions of diverse wildlife species. Additionally, stocks regarded as excessive - in view of agricultural and forestry interests - are reduced by hunting.