Vol. 51 (1), 2009: 85-90

FOLIA FORESTALIA POLONICA
Series A - Forestry, 2009, Vol. 51(1), 85–90.

Hunting in Poland as part of the sustained development of rural areas

Lesław Łabudzki¹ , Robert Kamieniarz, Grzegorz Górecki, Jacek Skubis, Anna Wierzbicka
Department of Game Management and Forest Protection, August Cieszkowski Agricultural University, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland, tel.: 4861 8487862,
fax: 4861 8487865, e-mail: wl.kgl@up.poznan.pl, 1Corresponding author.

Abstract
Due to state ownership of both free game and most forests in Poland, large hunting districts and low number of hunters, hunting in Polish hunting grounds provides an opportunity to encounter many animal species, often in their almost natural environment. The qualities of Poland’s fauna and flora as well as Poland’s accession to the EU and the resulting ease of movement have contributed to the development of hunt tourism. As a consequence, there has been a rise in the demand for services offered by rural areas inhabitants, which in turn should make local communities recognize the need to preserve the natural environment.

Key words
hunting, hunt tourism, rural areas