Wild damage occurs when wildlife threatens agricultural and forestry products through its grazing behavior. The largest and most expensive wild damage occurs when wild boar populate large grain fields or break into entire meadows. Damage in corn and wheat fields is particularly problematic, as the damage only becomes visible in the middle of the field.
An overview of the options for wild damage prevention:
Hunting:
Hunting is certainly the most attractive option for hunters when it comes to wild damage prevention. However, hunting wild boar is not easy, as the animals are intelligent, capable of learning, and have a good sense of smell. Additionally, the fields are often sown and drilled up to the edge of the forest, allowing the animals to move unseen from the forest into the grain. Once they are in the field, it can be difficult to spot them from the outside. Furthermore, the animals often change their routines and locations - for successful hunting, it is advisable to anticipate their movements with wildlife cameras and mobile high seats, and to use thermal and night vision devices at night for locating them. Additionally, drones for locating wildlife are becoming increasingly popular. High-priced thermal imaging drones can also be worthwhile in this context.
Wild Deterrence:
What options for wild deterrence are available?
Traditional wild deterrence has proven to be less effective than desired, especially in recent years. For this reason, many new deterrents have been developed that have proven to be very effective. These deterrents work either chemically by emitting a strong odor or electronically by emitting sound. The advantage: Even without hunting efforts, wildlife accidents, browsing, and wild damage can be reduced.
Chemical Wild Deterrence:
For wild boar, red deer, and roe deer, the use of combination preparations is recommended, which signal danger to the wildlife through an unpleasant smell. This year, so-called wild boar stoppers - deterrents specifically designed for the “taste” of wild boars - are very popular again.
While some products are used primarily in specific locations, so-called scent fences can be used to regulate areas over greater distances - for example, roads or their vulnerable sections. The smell of human sweat, in particular, sets off alarm bells for cautious wildlife and is well-suited to make certain areas unattractive to them.
It is important to consider how long the scent substances remain effective when applying them. Some wild deterrents release their scent substances gradually through weathering and are therefore very long-lasting. Some of these scent substances can even withstand rain. Depending on the application case, it is advisable to pay close attention to the properties of the product.
Sprays that “spoil the appetite” of red and roe deer have proven effective against browsing. However, this requires a high effort - it can be worthwhile, for example, for fruit trees near the wildlife's resting areas. Sprays designed to keep martens away from engine compartments work on the same principle.
Electronic Wild Deterrence:
For rodents, especially martens, ultrasound is almost unbearable. Advantage: The sound is inaudible to humans and therefore not disturbing. Electronic marten deterrents emit sound in this high frequency range. Deterrents for game animals are also available that are triggered by motion or heat sensors - following the same principle as a wildlife camera. In addition to ultrasound, deterrence can also be achieved using loud noises; however, since these are not unpleasant but merely unusual, a habituation effect may occur for the wildlife.
Wild Deterrence Techniques at a Glance:
- Chemical deterrence based on odor
- Wild deterrence targets game and predatory animals.
- “Scent fences” can secure entire roads
- Depending on the technique, entire areas can be kept free of wildlife
- Acoustic deterrence is suitable in populated areas
- Weathering preparations are particularly long-lasting
- Browsing can be limited by spray
Distraction Feeding:
With distraction feeding, the aim is to divert wildlife from the areas to be protected - and possibly to hunt them. However, caution must be exercised in this regard. It is advisable to hunt the wildlife in the area to be protected and, if necessary, to deter them and bind them elsewhere. Ideal equipment for this includes feeding drums, feeding stations, beech wood tar, and salt licks.
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