Game management
Weiser fences provide an indication of whether the forest and game are in harmony. These are small, 12 x 12 meter fenced areas in the forest in which the ground flora and tree species can develop undisturbed. A comparison with the directly adjacent areas allows conclusions to be drawn about the density of game. If browsing damage is too high, more game is requested in the prescribed shooting plans for roe deer and red deer.
Foresters are also hunters. After all, it is their job to ensure natural and species-rich forest regeneration. Our foresters therefore hunt a large part of the much-visited recreational forest themselves.
Hunting tenants are also joining in. The intensive cooperation with our hunting guests and holders of hunting permits contributes to the overall good forest-wildlife constellations achieved today.
Harmony between game and forest
Aachen's forests are home to red deer, roe deer and wild boar, among others. In the past, the population of game species was regulated by predators such as bears, wolves, lynxes, wildcats and humans. Harsh and cold winters as well as epidemics and parasites did the rest.
Living conditions have changed fundamentally since then. The aforementioned predator species have been largely eradicated. However, some are slowly returning, such as wildcats (also in the city forest) and wolves (in the wider area). As the climate warms, winters will increasingly remain free of snow and frost and the spread of wildlife diseases is being reduced by humans through targeted vaccination measures. The natural factors for the mortality of forest animals (e.g. physical condition of individuals, climatic influences, natural enemies, competition for food) have largely been eliminated. Only humans remain as regulators.
Why hunt at all?
If we follow the examples of the population dynamics of two game species, the answer is obvious: starting from a roe deer population of 100 animals with a 1:1 sex ratio, the population grows mathematically to 5,736 animals over the course of ten years. The development of wild boar is even more rapid: After just five years, the population increases from 100 to 24,300 animals.
It is important for both the forest and the game that the food and cover available and the game density are in harmony. If the game population is too high, territorial animals are subject to a high level of stress due to constant predatory competition and are also increasingly run over by road traffic. Scarce food supply leads to "caring" game; these animals have built up too few fat reserves and can die in a harsh winter. The transmission rate of game diseases also increases with the density of game.
Not only the game, but also the forest suffers from excessive game populations. Our aim is to manage the forest in a natural way, i.e. we promote native tree species and rely on their natural regeneration. Deer in particular are gourmets. The buds and shoots that the city urgently needs to create mixed forests are right at the top of their menu: Oak and beech. Furthermore, in some places - especially in light of the predicted climate change - an active change of tree species is necessary and will fail if the deer densities are not adapted to the natural food supply.
Red deer can also cause serious damage to forests. In the past, red deer were active during the day and lived in the forest steppes. Due to heavy settlement and because it became increasingly restless in the forests, the animals retreated into the closed forest areas. Because no or significantly fewer grasses and herbs grow there, the deer peel the bark from the trees during the day. This causes considerable and lasting damage to the trees.
If the restructuring measures that have been introduced take effect over a large area, game will also benefit from the biotope improvement in the long term.
In the case of wild boar, the damage occurs less in the forest than in the adjacent meadows and fields. In their search for coveted crops and animal protein (worms, maggots, etc.), a pack of wild boar can cause extensive damage in a single night.
Game meat / venison
Game meat is of the highest quality. Game lives in a species-appropriate and natural way until it is killed. This is ensured by the natural food supply and unrestricted freedom of movement. The animals are spared transportation and other stressful situations as far as possible. Game meat is low in fat and calories and contains many minerals such as iron, zinc and vitamin B2.
Mainly roe deer on offer
Interested parties can obtain roe deer directly from the district managers. Availability depends on the legally prescribed hunting seasons and hunting luck. Roe deer is mainly available from May to January, the animals weigh up to 20 kilograms. The price per kilogram is six euros including VAT. In very rare cases, wild boar is also offered. The price here is 2.50 euros per kilogram. They are sold in whole pieces. This means that the animals are gutted, but still with fur.
Forestry employees are specially trained
The forestry staff are specially trained by the veterinary authorities in meat hygiene and the game room meets the requirements of a food processing plant. In this way, the municipal forestry office ensures a high standard of quality.
Small encyclopedia of game species
Roe deer
A common game species in our forests. At 15-20 kg, it is the smallest hoofed game species and should not be confused with red deer. The shy deer loves to play hide-and-seek and - pressed close to the ground - likes to let unsuspecting hikers pass by. However, if you are out and about in the morning and evening at dusk, you can often spot them. Roe deer are common throughout the city forest. Male roe deer are called bucks, females are called does and those under one year old are called fawns.
Red deer
Red deer are the largest domestic hoofed game species. They can weigh up to 200 kg. They prefer large wooded areas with contiguous thickets. The roaring of the deer during the rutting season (end of September, beginning of October) can be heard through and through. Male red deer are called stags, females are called adults and the young ones are called calves.
Wild boar
They are also known as wild boars or sows and live in packs (groups). In contrast to other hoofed game species such as roe deer and red deer, they are omnivores. Wild boar have multiplied rapidly in recent years. Wild boar are not very loyal to their habitat and prefer to browse meadows and fields at night, making them difficult to hunt. The males are called boars, while the females are called bucks and young boars.
Badger
A predominantly nocturnal omnivore that builds extensive burrows which, unlike the fox, it pads out with hay and leaves. After the badger has eaten a 2-3 cm thick layer of fat in the fall, it goes into a hibernation-like resting phase until spring.
Fox
After the successful rabies vaccination in the 1980s, the fox population has grown strongly again. It lives in burrows and sometimes ventures into residential areas at night, where it searches for food.
Marten
We are home to two species of marten. The common stone marten prefers more open landscapes and even lives in city centers, where it has made a name for itself by biting car rubber parts. In contrast, the rarer pine marten lives in the high forest and, like the squirrel, is a climbing artist capable of scaling trees in a spiral and at lightning speed.
Brown hare
The brown hare prefers dry, warm areas with plenty of cover. The ideal habitat consisting of a mosaic of forest, field and hedge structures has become rare today. In contrast to rabbits, hares do not build burrows, but are content with a shallow hollow ("Sasse"). Another peculiarity: young hares are born seeing and completely hairy.