Management of red deer (Cervus elaphus) population in the hunting ground Đerdap (Eastern Serbia)

Reintroduction of red deer (Cervus elpahus) into the forest complexes of Eastern Serbia began in 1960, while the Đerdap hunting ground was established in 1990, and its border coincides with the border of the Đerdap National Park established in 1974. This hunting ground comprises a narrow-forested belt of irregular shape along the Danube (total area 63,730 ha, length 100 km, width from 2 to 8 km), located at an altitude of 63 to 803 m. The hunting-productive area for red deer covers 20,000 ha, and its estimated number was 360 individuals in spring 2024 (sex ratio approx. 1:1). The aim of this study was to analyse the development dynamics of the newly established red deer population in the wider Đerdap area (period 1960-2020), focusing on the trophy structure and age of individuals hunted in the Đerdap area in two periods: 1993-2002 (54 trophies) and 2007-2020 (73 trophies), respectively. The age was estimated by the skilled commissions based on the tooth wear. The trophies were evaluated according to the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) method. Each parameter was analysed using descriptive statistics by determining the range of variation, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. A simple regression analysis was used to establish a correlation between the antler parameters and the age of the individual. In addition, relevant information was collected from annual and long-term hunting ground management plans and from records of works carried out in each hunting year. In 2017 and 2018, intensive field research was carried out as a part of the SRBREDDEER project, funded by the Forest Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republic of Serbia.