Catch-effort model used as a management tool in exploited populations: Wild boar as a case study

For sustainable management of exploited populations, it is required to have good knowledge on temporal trends in population density adapt the harvest. In this regard, hunting statistics are often collected routinely by government agencies and associations. These data used assess demographic through development indices, which turn manage populations a way. However, these indices depend features process (e.g. effort, conditions, probability catch). study, we show how use logs while accounting for components process. particular, developed catch-effort model study effort leads mortality rate – pressure within given habitat type during period. We illustrated usefulness approach using wild boar (Sus scrofa) as case study. large dataset perform our with several hundreds thousands events more than 10 years two French departments France, including information about number hunters, boars culled date hunt. showed that catchability key parameter at time place. This varies both season between types. Once variation was accounted for, allowed us obtain estimates relative densities over period unit scale. Thus, models powerful tools understand underlying Our offers straightforward reproducible conceptual framework can be applied wildlife managers practitioners from logs.