Spatial use and habitat selection of two differently bred samples of European hares (Lepus europaeus) in the Apennines and its implications in hunting management

Our study focused on habitat use of 21 radio collared European hares in a mountainous area in Tuscany from February to September 2010. The whole sample was constituted by hares of different breeding typologies: 10 hares farmed in cages (farmed hares) and 11 hares bred in a fenced natural area (captured hares). Farmed hares showed smaller home ranges than captured ones during the second bimonthly period, corresponding to the rutting period; while during the first and third bimonthly periods (pre-rutting and post-rutting period, respectively) the hare spatial use was not statistically different for the two typologies. The average home range size of captured hares during the second bimonthly period was 35,5 ± 15,8 ha; whereas farmed hares’ home range was 19,4 ± 6,3 ha. Mean distance between the centers of the bimonthly home ranges was different in relation to the considered typology. The survival rate of the two monitored samples was similar. Farmed hares increased their movement range and reached the maximum spatial use measured for captured ones later than the latter. This aspect could influence the mating success and the consequences related to population density along with useful insights for hunting management.