Integrating field sports, hare population management and conservation
-
Published source details
Reid N., Magee C. & Montgomery W.I. (2010) Integrating field sports, hare population management and conservation. Acta Theriologica, 55, 61-71.
Published source details Reid N., Magee C. & Montgomery W.I. (2010) Integrating field sports, hare population management and conservation. Acta Theriologica, 55, 61-71.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Site management for target mammal species carried out by field sport practitioners Action Link |
 |
-
Site management for target mammal species carried out by field sport practitioners
A replicated, site comparison study in 2003–2007 on 17 improved farmland sites in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland (Reid et al. 2010) found that sites managed for the sport of coursing Irish hares Lepus timidus hibernicus held more of this species than did the wider countryside. Accounting for differences in habitat, hare densities on coursing sites (96 hares/km2) were higher than on wider countryside sites (31 hares/km2). Eight sites managed for hare coursing were compared with nine sites containing suitable hare habitat in the wider countryside. Management for hare coursing included predator control, poaching deterrence, retaining fine scale habitat features, such as rush patches, and administering veterinary attention while holding hares captive prior to coursing events. Hares flushed by lines of 20–30 beaters were counted, in September–December of 2003–2007.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
)_2023.JPG)
