Varmints, Furbearers and Small Game Hunting
In some parts of Romania, the Wolf (Canis lupus), Red fox (C. vulpes), European jackal (C. aureus moreotica), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and Wildcat (Felis silvestris) are generally considered varmints. Wolf populations remain strong with an estimated 4000 heads as of 2005, allows wolf hunting (vanatoare de lupi). The season is between September 15 and March 31. Hunters use snow tracking, stalking, calling, and driving with beaters.
Firearms used are shotguns with slug or minimal 5 mm pellet or rifle of 5.6 mm caliber bullet or better. Trophies are considered the skin (rug mount) and skull. Since 1997, Romania has the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) world record of wolf skin (186.17 points), and a national CIC skull record of 45.30 points.
The red fox, like Badgers (Meles meles) are pursued with dogs, such as Dachshunds, Fox terriers and Jagdterriers, who are used to chase critters even in their burrows. Fox hunting (vanatoarea de vulpe) is also featured in Romanian literature and folk tales, where the cunning of the fox is a common theme.
Small game furbearers are plentiful in Romania and usually hunted with the aid of dogs and snow tracking. Species include European Badger (Meles meles), European Hare (Lepus europaeus), European Pine Marten (Martes martes), Beech Marten (Martes foina), European Polecat (Mustela putorius), Ermine (Mustela erminea) and weasel (Mustela nivalis). A rare animal is the Marmot (Marmota marmota). Otter (Lutra lutra) can be found in the Danube Delta and other marshlands, and is hunted in winter, over iced rivers, at the breathing holes and with dogs, tracking through snow. In the same region, European mink (Mustela lutreola), Muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), and Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) may be seen.
Rabbit hunting (vanatoarea de iepuri) is among the most common type of hunting. The open season is from November 1 to January 31. Virtually every hunter takes up this sport, using walking and stalking (la picior) with pointer dogs or through drive with beaters (goana). Forbidden techniques are waiting and night hunting. Firearms used are shotguns with pellets size 3–4 mm and rimfire rifles. It is not uncommon to see hundreds of beaters are used during drive hunts for rabbit, or others.
Read more about this topic: Hunting In Romania
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