With the support of the Government, the Region and the European Union
Game management
Nature | Habitat management
There is no traditional hunting in the National Park Thayatal anymore. A clear objective is to ensure the development of natural processes possibly without any human interference, as well as the protection and promotion of indigenous and threatened fauna, and of their habitats. Visitors' perception of wild animals should be enhanced through education and recreation. A reintroduction of fauna is not foreseen. In fact, immigration is promoted in improving habitats. Demand-oriented promotion and conservation programmes for threatened animals are also possible.
Situation
In a basic study on game ecology, potential resting areas were identified. These resting areas are implemented step by step in the annual work plans. In 2007 there were three identified resting areas: Fugnitzsee, Turmfelsen (hunting ground Felling/Burgrecht), at the Waldstein meander and site (Pfaffentümpel ditch up to Kirchenwald), as well as on the borders of the Kirchenwald forest at the Thaya. The resting area at the Fugnitz river (hunting ground Felling/Burgrecht) was extended in 2007 over parts of the communal forest of Hardegg. The resting areas cover at present about 470 ha. Since 2008 three resting areas have also been established in the Czech part of the National Park.In the winter months, under appropriate snow conditions, track mapping is carried out which provides information about current game populations.
General measures enforced since 2001
These general regulations are valid beyond 2008. Modifications may be necessary when developments occur resulting in newly defined measures. The Lower Austrian hunting law is also applicable in the National Park; additionally there are specific regulations for individual measures. Huntable Game:
Hoofed game, red deer, roe deer and wild boar are subject to game regulation as well as any occurring non-indigenous game species within the legal hunting regulations.Red Deer:
Category I and II stags are no longer hunted.Roe Deer:
Older stags are no longer hunted.Wild Boar:
Can be hunted all year long. General hunting law regulations apply.Mouflon:
As mouflon is a non-indigenous species, which has a negative impact on the ecosystem, a comprehensive reduction of this game species is being undertaken. It can be hunted all through the year as there is an exceptional rule for the grounds Felling/Burgrecht.Fallow deer:
As fallow deer is a non-indigenous, artificially introduced game species, a comprehensive reduction of this species is being undertaken.Game Feeding
There is no feeding in the National Park Thayatal.Wild Boar Baiting
Bait feeding of wild boar must be technically fitted out in such a way that the feed provided is not accessible to other hoofed game species. At the baiting place, one kg max. of feed can be set out per day, whereas there should at no time be more than one kg provided. The setting up or modification of existing baiting places must be authorized by the National Park administration.Driving
Driving with cars in the National Park is only authorized for retrieving game. Special authorizations for driving are possible under current conditions. Authorizations can only be given if they are required to achieve the development goals of the National Park and related measures.
Game Resting Areas
In 2007 the existing resting areas were extended over 470 ha. The aim is to identify 510 ha of game resting areas by 2010. In the resting areas Fugnitz, Turmfelsen, at the meander as well as at the Waldstein site (Pfaffentümpel ditch up to Kirchenwald) and at the borders of the Kirchenwald forest any avoidable disturbance of game is prohibited. In order to create a forest-compatible hoofed game population, game regulation is only authorized on max. three days per year. For the resting area Turmfelsen in the hunting ground Felling/Burgrecht, there is an exceptional rule regarding mouflon. It can also be regulated in the resting area.Regulating Periods and Intermittent Regulation Areas
In the area of Hardegg up to the Kaja ruin, game regulation is prohibited in May, June and July between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and in August and September between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.In the National Park three intermittent regulation areas were identified, in which game regulation can be carried out in the form of an intermittent system with short regulation periods (at most 2 weeks) and in-between longer resting periods (at least 4 weeks). When the resting period between hunting phases is extended to at least 2 months in the intermittent regulation areas, bait feeding can be started three weeks earlier. Otherwise bait feeding can only start max. 10 days earlier. Annual game regulation should be limited to a period of time as short as possible.
Focal Regulation Area
Parts of the Fugnitz meadow have been dug up by wild boars in the last years. This is why focal regulation areas have been established in these parts for regulate wild boar. Similar focal regulation areas exist in the sector of Schwarzwald and Gricht. The time span and location of focal regulation areas were precisely defined in 2008. The aim being to be able to react immediately in case of damage caused to meadows and dry grasslands. If no game pressure or damage is recorded over a longer monitoring period in focal regulation areas, the exceptional rule can be abolished. However, should high game pressure or other damages be a problem in other areas deserving protection, the National Park administration can establish a focal regulation area immediately.Measures
The yearly track mapping is continued.
In June/July 2008 the third survey of fenced and unfenced comparative areas was made. The data will then be evaluated by the Research Institute for Wildlife Ecology and compared with those from first and second surveys from former years.