This thesis examines long-term changes in selected game species population in the area of the Gorenjska Hunting Associations Union (ZLDG) during the period 1957–2024. Historical and contemporary harvest data were used as an indicator of population trends. Changes in forest cover were reconstructed from historical and contemporary sources and linear regression was used to assess relationships between harvest, time and forest cover. Harvest trends were analysed for red deer, roe deer, chamois, European hare, common pheasant, grey partridge and wild boar, while historical data for capercaillie and black grouse were examined separately. Harvest increased over time for red deer, roe deer, chamois and wild boar, whereas it declined for European hare, common pheasant and grey partridge. The most pronounced changes were observed in red deer and grey partridge, with the mean harvest of red deer being 20.71 times higher in the third period than in the first, while the mean harvest of grey partridge was 50 times lower. Forest cover increased 15 % during the study period. A statistically significant positive relationship between forest cover and harvest was found for chamois and red deer (p = 0,04992), while European hare showed a significant negative relationship. For the remaining species, the relationship was not statistically significant The results confirm pronounced long-term changes in the population trends of selected games species; however, these changes cannot be explained solely by changes in forest cover, as they are also influenced by other environmental factors, habitat characteristics and wildlife management practices.
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