New app "Mednis" for collecting data on forest animal populations

In cooperation with Latvian scientists, forestry, agricultural and hunting organizations, as well as in consultation with the State Forest Service, a digital tool has been developed - the “Mednis” application. It will allow hunters and landowners to record high-quality information about game animals. This information will allow assessing the state of populations and the distribution of animals, as well as provide a basis for making informed decisions about future population management.

“Hunter” is a unique application created in Latvia, which is connected to the State Forest Service (SFS) information system “State Forest Register” and allows you to collect data on game animals, evidence of their presence, record damage and, in the near future, also record the fact of hunting. Such qualitatively collected information will contribute to the optimal use, conservation and regulation of hunting resources, while simultaneously reducing the risks of damage and loss in the forestry and agricultural sectors, as well as reducing the administrative burden of hunting.

Until now, Latvia did not have a special tool that would allow for remote registration and submission of verifiable information about game observations, hunting facts and damage caused. There are around 22 thousand active hunters, 70 thousand farmers and 135 thousand private forest owners in Latvia, who have not been involved in collecting such data so far. This is an untapped potential in collecting data necessary for wildlife management – around 227 thousand users will be able to provide reliable information about game animals.

Currently, the use of the “Mednis” application is particularly relevant for landowners and hunters. It is important for land managers to collect data on the damage caused by game animals. They can be used when assessing the state of animal populations, and in the spring – at meetings of game animal limit determination groups, deciding on the permissible hunting volume for the next hunting season.

In turn, it would be important for hunters, using the “Mednis” app, to collect data on observed animals, especially signs of the presence of the limited-use, specially protected species – the wolf. Wolf hunting is based on specific, regularly collected data. Hunters can also provide data on the damage caused by game animals – this data can also be used when deciding on the permissible hunting volume in the next hunting season.

Anyone can download the “Mednis” app, which is available on Google Play for Android devices and AppStore for iOS devices, and participate in collecting data on forest animals, evidence of their presence, and recording damage. The app creation project was implemented by the association “Zemnieku saeima”, AS “Latvijas valsts meži”, Latvian Forest Owners Association, Latvian State Forestry Institute “Silava”, Latvian Hunters’ Union and Latvian Hunters’ Association.