Hunting app project

Hunting app project (Project “Development of an information collection tool for game animal population management”)

The project “Development of an information collection tool for the management of game animal populations” is implemented within the framework of the state and European Union support measure “Cooperation” under sub-measure 16.2. “Support for the development of new products, methods, processes and technologies”.

Project objective is to develop a data collection tool and mobile application compatible with the State Forest Register for registering game animals, evidence of their presence, the fact of hunting and damage, in order to promote the use, conservation and regulation of forestry resources at an optimal level, while simultaneously reducing the risks of damage and loss in the forestry and agricultural sectors, as well as reducing the administrative burden of hunting.

Currently, Latvia does not have the ability to remotely register and submit verifiable information on game animal observations, hunting facts and damage caused to agriculture and forestry. Data is registered and collected by the State Forest Service (SFS). The capacity of the SFS is limited. Information on game animal populations is electronically available in the SFS Geographic Information System (SFSGIS), which is available to users for a fee in viewing mode and does not provide the opportunity to add information, data or notes. Volunteer human resources are not involved in data collection – around 22 thousand active hunters, 70 thousand farmers and 135 thousand private forest owners. Thus, there is an untapped potential in the registration of the presence of wild animals – around 227 thousand users who could provide reliable information on game animals.

The project is developing a mobile application for remote registration of this information, which will significantly reduce the administrative burden on hunters and hunting rights holders, as well as relieve the work of state administrative institutions. As a result, knowledge transfer will be promoted - information on the presence of game animals, damage and hunting will be publicly available, and it can be used for the development of both forestry and agricultural sectors.

The app is being developed for various mobile operating systems, initially researching user needs and developing a detailed technical specification. The expected app features, in order of priority, are as follows:

1) user registration for personal identification;

2) input of animal observations, including input of hunting facts, recording of damage caused by animals, input of information about hunting areas and display of analytical information on the map;

3) accumulation of hunting load data and the possibility of receiving hunter season cards electronically.

The app will be available and free to use, and the collected data will be publicly available to anyone interested.

Project implementation period: March 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021.

Project lead partner: Association Farmers' Parliament

Project partners:

• JSC “Latvian State Forests”
• Latvian State Forestry Institute “Silava”
• Latvian Hunters' Union
• Latvian Forest Owners Association
• Latvian Hunters Association

Project budget: EUR 99,984.50 (public funding EUR 89,986.05)