Black grouse resources and their use in the Kirov region, Russia

The black grouse (Tetrao tetrix L., 1758) is a terrestrial and arboreal species of the pheasant family, inhabiting the temperate latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The cosmopolitan range covers the forest-tundra, taiga, forest-steppe and partly steppe zones of Europe and Asia from the Alps to the Amur basin. In Western Europe, the modern distribution of the black grouse is mosaic, the trend of the dynamics of most populations is negative. The use of the species' resources is limited. In Russia, including the Kirov region, the black grouse is one of the most significant and widespread species of hunting resources. The problems of resource dynamics and the estimation of the species stock use level are considered in the research on the example of the Kirov region. The current bird population in the region, according to various estimates, is 362.9–440.7 thousand individuals. The official hunting bag of the species in the region is at the level of 6217 individuals. Alternative estimation methods indicate an annual bag of approximately 58.5 thousand individuals. The ratio of bag volumes by seasons is similar. Currently, the provision of services for organizing black grouse hunting in the region is sporadic. The products obtained as a result of using the black grouse population in the region are determined. Hunting products include food raw materials (meat), as well as derivatives that are used for taxidermy products and souvenirs. During the research the volumes of each type of product received have been estimated and recalculated in monetary terms.

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