In Slovenia, supplemental feeding is a common and popular measure used by managers of hunting reserves. Most often the animals being fed are wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), both of which are discussed in this thesis. The aim of the thesis is to find out what the most common cause of feeding is, and what the costs of purchase, delivery, and feeding itself are. Data for 2011 on the number of animals killed and the sizes of hunting grounds were obtained from the records of hunting management plans, while the type and quantity of feed, the feeding costs, the number of feeding sites and the intentions behind feeding were determined with with questionnaires, which were sent to randomly selected managers of hunting reserves. After analyzing the data we found that the main motive for supplemental feeding was a desire to reduce damages caused by wild boar and deer, followed by feeding making hunting the animals an easier task. The highest cost of supplemental feeding of boars represents the delivery of the feed, followed by the purchase cost, while the purchase cost of the deer feed is more expensive. Self-production of both types of feeds turned out to be the cheapest option. Considering that feeding on average costs 138 EUR/hunted boar and compensation for damages caused by boars averages at 43 EUR/hunted boar, while with deer this ratio is 92 EUR/hunted deer for feeding and 13 EUR/hunted deer for compensation, gives rise to doubts about the advisability of feeding in order to reduce losses. In addition, a review of past research revealed a probable adverse effect of supplemental feeding. With the sharp rise in wild boar and deer populations we believe it is high time to start searching for a new and better approach to supplemental feeding if we want to use it as a method of lessening the damage caused by wild animals
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