SEMBERIJA HUNTERS BEGIN PHEASANT CHICK PRODUCTION

The “Semberija” Hunting Association has started this year’s production of pheasant chicks at its pheasantry in Suvo Polje.

PHOTO: Info Bijeljina

The first batch of 3,500 chicks has already been hatched, and if weather conditions remain favorable, between 12,000 and 15,000 pheasant chicks are expected to be produced during the season.

The pheasantry is one of the largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within a 240-dunum complex, ten dunums are occupied by pheasant aviaries.

President of the “Semberija” Hunting Association, Vasilije Savić, said the pheasantry began operating in 1964, when pheasants were first hatched using domestic hens brought by hunters, while eggs were collected from nature.

“Only a few years later the process was modernized with the installation of incubators and aviaries. Today, thanks to subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture, we have the most modern Italian equipment with a capacity of up to 20,000 pheasant chicks,” Savić explained.

Part of the pheasant chicks will be distributed to hunting sections, while the rest will be sold to associations and hunting organizations across the region.

According to the association’s rules, each hunter receives four pheasant chicks, while the remaining birds are placed on the market.

Savić noted that production costs have increased due to higher prices of feed, electricity, fuel and gas, which will also lead to a 20 percent increase in chick prices.

“Our goal is not to make a large profit, but to cover production costs and ensure sustainability,” he said.

The pheasantry also includes a fenced 60-dunum area for wild boars. Currently, there are four adult and 14 young wild boars in the enclosure, cared for by pheasantry workers and gamekeepers.

Founded in 1919, the “Semberija” Hunting Association today gathers around 1,100 members organized in 17 sections. The association manages 42,000 hectares of hunting grounds and is engaged in hunting hares, pheasants, quails, wild ducks and roe deer.

The association also works on preserving and restoring hunting grounds, building hunting infrastructure and improving conditions across all hunting sections.