Vorarlberg is sounding the alarm: hunters are making massive advances in deer hunting!

Vorarlberg is sounding the alarm: hunters are making massive advances in deer hunting!

Hunting in Vorarlberg has reached a new dimension due to a drastic increase in red deer populations. Vorarlberg's hunters are called upon to take intensive action against overpopulation in order to curb the spread of **tuberculosis (TBC)** among wild animals. How vol.at reports, the situation is more serious than ever as hunters have to respond with increased measures to control game populations.

Regulatory efforts come amid increasing concerns about the welfare of wildlife. **TBC** in wild animals can not only endanger their health, but can also have an impact on human health. Therefore, effective control of wild populations is of utmost importance in order to minimize possible risks.

Challenges and measures

The TBC issue presents Vorarlberg's hunters with real challenges. The authority has advised hunters to implement comprehensive hunting strategies. These measures include more intensive hunting of deer to control the population and prevent the spread of disease. Loud dpa The measures in the region are in line with nationwide efforts to control the ecological impacts of wild populations.

Given this relevance, the hunting figures in Germany are also remarkable. In 2024, the number of hunting license holders reached a new high of around **461,000**. This development shows that hunting is not just a tradition, but is increasingly linked to modern challenges such as maintaining biodiversity and the health of game populations. In the past, hunting was primarily used to provide food, but it has now changed significantly.

Hunting as a leisure activity

Hunting has evolved over the centuries from a purely survival tool into a recreational activity. Historically, hunting was primarily accessible to the nobility. Today, however, for many it is also an opportunity to connect with nature and take ecological responsibility. In 2023/24, around **1.3 million deer**, **551,000 wild boar** and **442,000 foxes** were shot in Germany, reflecting the impressive opportunities and challenges in hunting practice.

Young people and women are increasingly being integrated into the hunting community, with the proportion of women in Germany only being **11%**. Nevertheless, the training to become a hunter is comprehensive; The hunter exam, for example, covers **66 subject areas** such as wildlife biology and animal protection law. The path to obtaining a hunting license is demanding, which is also due to the fact that over **25%** of hunting students fail the exam on their first attempt.

Overall, it is clear that hunting in Vorarlberg is not only a response to specific ecological challenges, but also a deeply rooted tradition that must adapt to modern circumstances. The current efforts of hunters, particularly with regard to the TB problem, are an example of how hunting also serves as a tool for protecting the environment.

As hunting graduates and hunting practices in general grow, the challenge remains of preserving tradition while meeting modern ecological demands. Further information on this can also be found at Statista.