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Game Management

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide basic knowledge about game species, biology and ecology, legislation regulating the hunting and movement of weapons, hunting safety practices, organization of game management, animal registration, as well as the formation of game populations. During the practical classes, students learn the basic principles of creating a game management unit, building hunting infrastructure elements. In order to get acquainted with the hunting process and the pre-treatment of hunted animals, students would participate in training hunts, as well as acquire basic skills in shooting with hunting weapons.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

By mastering this course, the student acquires knowledge about the biology of game animals, the organization of the game management, safety requirements, as well as the management of game populations. By mastering this course, the student acquires skills to independently organize and manage a game management unit and hunting, to safely use a hunting weapon, as well as to properly perform the pre-treatment of a hunted animal. After mastering the course, the student is competent to take a theoretical and practical state exam to obtain a hunter's and / or hunting manager's license.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Moose – species biology, ecology, selection and population management, hunting. 1h
2. Red deer – species biology, ecology, selection and population management, hunting. 1h
3. Roe deer – species biology, ecology, selection and population management, hunting. 1h
4. Wild boar – species biology, ecology, selection and population management, hunting. 1h
5. Wolf, lynx – species biology, ecology, hunting. 1h
6. Game fur animals – species biology, ecology, hunting. 1h
7. Game rodents – species biology, ecology, hunting. 1h
8. Game birds – species biology, ecology, hunting. 1h
9. Game management unit and basic principles of its organization. 1h
10. Basic principles of game accounting and methods used in Latvia. 1h
11. Normative basis regulating hunting. 1h
12. Types of hunting – driven hunt and hunting with disturbance 1h
13. Types of hunting – individual hunting. 1h
14. Types of hunting – bird hunting. 1h
15. Pre-treatment and hygiene requirements for hunted animals 1h
16. Hunting trophies and basic principles of their assessment 1h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully written 2 tests, successfully written test (at least 24 correct answers from 30 questions), attended practical work in the forest and attended training hunts, as well as shooting training.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. During the test (45 min) the student provides written answers to 3-6 questions. It is allowed to write the test once. If the test is delayed or written unsuccessfully without a justifiable reason, as well as to correct the obtained mark, the student answers the lecturer's questions only orally.
2. The test is organized to make sure that the student understands the regulatory framework. The test has 30 questions with several answers, one of which is correct. At least 24 questions must be answered correctly to pass the test.
3. Since, after mastering the study course, the student can receive a statement that he / she is entitled to take an exam in the State Forest Service to obtain a Hunter's and / or Hunting Manager's license, the student must not only successfully pass tests, but must have attended practical work in the forest and attended training hunting, as well as shooting training.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-grade scale. An oral or written answer is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. Tests are evaluated in accordance with the established procedure - according to the answers to the questions given in the methodological descriptions at the beginning of each study period, while the evaluation of practical work takes place in forest, assessing how competent the student is able to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills.

Compulsory reading

1.Autoru kolektīvs. Medības Latvijā (2014), AS ”Lauku Avīze”, Rīga, Latvija, 334 lpp
2. Baumanis J., Sisenis L., Stepanova A. (2014) Medījamo dzīvnieku un trofeju novērtēšana, AS Lauku Avīze, Rīga, Latvija, 92 lpp.
3. Vanags J. Medības - atziņas un patiesības (2010), Autora izdevums, 360 lpp.
4. Medību likums (spēkā esošā redakcija), pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=77455
5. Medību noteikumi (spēkā esošā redakcija), pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=267976

Periodicals and other sources

1.Žurnāls "Medības"
2. Žurnāls "MMD - Medības, makšķerēšana, daba".
3. Siliņš A., Medības Latvijas PSR (1984), Avots, Rīga, Latvija, 327 lpp.

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory (A) part of the academic study program “Forest Science”.