Assessing the hunting organizations for wild boar management in China’s Jiangxi Province

With the escalating incidence of wildlife-inflicted damage, hunting has emerged as a pivotal strategy for directly managing wildlife populations and thus controlling human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in China, with the establishment of hunting organizations across the country. This study examines the development, functions, and challenges of hunting organizations in Jiangxi Province, with a specific focus on their role in wild boars (Sus scrofa) control. Drawing on empirical observations and documented reports of hunting practices, this study analyzes the number, spatial distribution, group membership, hunting methods, and prey disposal mechanisms of these organizations. As of the end of 2024, 82 hunting organizations have been established in the province, with nearly all cities in Jiangxi having at least one such entity. These organizations are primarily composed of local part-time farmers operating on a self-financing basis. They mainly employ hunting dogs under firearm restrictions and focus on protecting villagers’ safety and property. However, they face constraints such as limited professional training, funding shortages, and strict legal regulations on firearms and wildlife consumption. This research recommends amending wildlife management regulations, relaxing hunting restrictions, enabling more flexible hunting methods, and promoting broader governmental and public participation to improve the institutional effectiveness and ecological role of hunting organizations in wildlife governance.