The potential and subject of hunting zones for wildlife management: Analyzing the establishment process and relations with the local community in Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido, Japan

The number of Hokkaido Sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Japan has been increasing, resulting in conflicts with human society. For dealing with the problem, a new idea is to use them as a hunting resource by establishing a hunting zone, for the purpose of population control, local economic development and safe hunting. This study using the case of Shimukappu hunting zone established in 2014 aimed to analyze the social impacts of recreational hunting and establishment of the hunting zone on the local community with field work, mainly based on interviews. The results showed that local residents, such as farmers, hunters and tourism operators, have both anxiety and anticipation concerning the hunting zone and recreational hunting in the village. Some residents expect hunters to obey the hunting rules for safe, but some are deeply concerned about the top-down approach tourism development and inadequate measures against cropraiding. Therefore, to utilize a hunting zone and recreational hunting as a means to Hokkaido Sika deer management and local revitalization, it is important to consider the livelihood and the history of local community, based on a sufficient explanation by the government and community-based activities.