Toward sustainable management of deer and forests: two contrasting models from the Akaya Project and Shimukappu

Abstract

A round table session was held in the Vth International Wildlife Management Congress to make a proposal for the sustainable management of deer and forests in Japan. Three cases were reported; the Akaya Project aims to conserve biodiversity through the maintenance of low deer density; Shimukappu is a game area aiming to establish sustainable resource management through the municipal government; Mitsui’s forests are company-owned and deer management is considered important to control damage to forests and neighboring farm fields. In Japan, the roles and responsibilities of land owners, municipalities and prefectural and national governments are not clear for wildlife management. Key issues include (1) role-sharing and cooperation among stakeholders, (2) securing sufficient personnel who perform to cull deer, and (3) ensuring financial resources. Municipalities should play a leading role to cope with a broad range of problems caused by deer moving around a large area, and cooperating with forest owners and prefectural and national governments with distinct responsibilities. Municipalities need leaders with specialized skills, and prefectural and national governments are expected to foster human resources and promote cooperation among municipalities. Forest owners can provide favorable hunting fields. Stable public funds should be invested to evaluate the multiple values of forests maintained by deer management.