22. Feeding of game species: traditions, importance, and contradictions.

Question 1

Traditions:

Answer 1

• In the last century, humans have modified the global landscape to accommodate the growing human populations. Previously pristine landscape, riverscapes and seascapes have been transformed due to agriculture, urbanisation, resource extraction (mines, forestry, and fishing), energy production, military activity and other human developments and activities.
• The accumulation of human induced changes has modified ecosystems to the point where human activities are now considered the primary driver of global changes and it is proposed that we have entered a new epoch called the Anthropocene. As a result, humans have changed the environment in which wild animals live, including abundance and quality of food items which has implications for animal health, reproduction, and survival.
  Wildlife needs food (quantity + quality), water, cover/shelter and space

Intensive agriculture and forest management decreased area and diversity of habitats, increases game damage, unbalanced food resources
Fodder vs. forage

Question 2

Feeding

Answer 2

• In Hungary feeding is mostly done in winter
• Winter feeding is important for several different reasons
  o Important for hunting and to keep game species in good conditions
  o Many other species also benefit from feeding especially in very harsh winters
  o Can also help animals stay in one location and lessen the damage to agricultural fields
• As animal habitats become smaller and more fragmented it is more difficult for them to find enough food in the wild
• Winters can also be very harsh and cold making foraging difficult
• Hunters and game managers are responsible for feeding and maintaining feeders
• Feeding typically starts in October - December and ends in March but the exact timeframe depends on weather conditions
• Winter feeding is considered one of the most important jobs for hunting associations

Question 3

Types of Feed Provided

Answer 3

Types of feed may vary from county to county depending on the hunting associations but typically game species are fed a mix of:
* Hay
* Wheat
* Oat
* Alfalfa
* Silage
* Corn (grains or on the cob)
* Other mixed grain
* Sunflower seeds
* Salt blocks
* Fruits such as apples and pear
* Apple pomace (residue from pressing apples)

Question 4

Importance:

Answer 4

Supplemental feeding: is the act of placing food for wildlife intentionally annually, seasonally or emergency bases with the intent of:
* Increase population size abundance
* Increase the conditions and body weight
* Increase reproduction rate
* Improve trophy quality
* Help population survive during winter
* Distracting wildlife to mitigate damages
* Concentrate wild animals for viewing/hunting/catching
* Game catching and medical treatments

Question 5

Contradictions/Challenges

Answer 5

• Feeding can be very expensive
• Studies should be made to determine the most ideal feeds for target species (is it the right type of food?)
  o While food often disappears, it is not always eaten by the game species, can be invasive species
• Mild winters may lessen the need for feeders
• Feeders can change the home range sizes of animals and alter behaviours
• Animals can become dependent on feeding
• Feeding can increase competition at feeding site
• Increased numbers of animals in one area can increase spread of parasites and diseases + food contamination
• Instead of decreasing damage to forest environments and agricultural fields it may increase it
• Attract predators
  This is an issue belonging to habitat management: if the aim of the feeding is to “better the population” it is important to provide habitats that have good feeding opportunities too, in case of supplementary feeding.
  Important:
• Provide good water source
• Salt lick/mineral
• Spread food on the ground