Hunting Conference in Zidlochovice Unites Central European Associations

Zidlochovice, Czech Republic, 4-5 September 2024 – The Hunting Associations of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia convened for a pivotal conference under the banner of “Common roots in the past, common present problems, and searching for common solutions in the future.” The event, hosted by the Central European Wildlife Institute at the invitation of Prof. Miroslav Vodnansky, provided a platform for fostering collaboration among Central European countries to address the contemporary challenges in wildlife conservation and hunting management.

The conference discussions centred on pressing issues including the management of large carnivores, declining standards in hunter education, and improving communication both within hunting communities and with the broader public. Attendees also expressed concerns about the growing influence of NGOs lacking expertise in hunting, but who wield significant public reach. The difficulties of engaging younger hunters, who are sometimes less accessible through traditional communication channels, were also highlighted.

Another key topic addressed was the negative effects of night hunting. Heiko Hornung presented findings from a study on the evolving priorities of hunters over time, which will be detailed further in an upcoming article in Wild & Hund.

In line with this collaborative spirit, the CIC Coordination Forum for Central and Eastern Europe will hold its next meeting from 2-5 November 2024, hosted by Croatian colleagues in North Dalmacia, Croatia. The Forum, led by Dr. Imrich Suba, President, and Ivica Budor, Vice-President, will continue to promote dialogue and cooperation on pressing wildlife and hunting-related issues across Central and Eastern Europe.

Dr. Harmer expressed CIC’s strong support for these collaborative efforts, noting, “Central Europe has a rich hunting heritage, and by coming together, we can forge a path that ensures our traditions and sustainable use practices remain robust in the face of modern challenges.”

The event also served as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the Hunting Associations of Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and to enhance the dialogue surrounding conservation efforts at both the national and international levels.

For more information, please contact:
Email: communications@cic-wildlife.org