Inquiries for grouse hunting at the State Hunting Farm “Izvora” near Devin have been coming from sheikhs from Dubai recently, Eng. Zdravko Bakalov, director of the South Central State Enterprise (YUCDP) in Smolyan, told BTA. The SDP plans to restore the farm for artificial breeding of grouse in “Izvora”. Interest in hunting these birds has increased in recent years, inquiries are received from hunters from various European countries, and recently even from Dubai.
The grouse population in the Rhodopes is about 80% of these birds in the country. This is the southernmost population of grouse in Europe, the YCDP specified. The renewal of the artificial breeding farm will increase and stabilize their distribution. Grouse are a difficult species to breed, with observations indicating that at altitudes below 1,500 m the population is in decline, according to enterprise experts. After the restoration of the farm in “Izvora”, the SDP is considering the possibility of providing specimens of the feathered game for Stara Planina, where grouse have completely disappeared.
Experts from the UCDDP will borrow the experience of their Polish colleagues. Representatives of the enterprise visited a Polish farm for artificial breeding of grouse. The work in the Polish farm includes hatching the chicks, raising them to adult birds, taking care of them, veterinary medical measures and other artificial breeding activities, the YCDP also pointed out.
Only male grouse are allowed to be shot. The opportunities for hunting in “Izvora” are increasingly popularized with the presentation of the farm at specialized hunting exhibitions.
Source BTA
