Other hunters besides state officials
Although there have not been any violations of amateur hunting rules, there have been illegal hunting cases in 2010.
This is what Deputy Head of the State Nature Protection Inspectorate at the RA Ministry of Nature Protection Karen Papoyan said as he presented brief data for the end of the 6-month hunting season. Papoyan mentioned that the cases of illegal hunting have reduced two times.
According to him, there were 37 cases in 2010 compared to the 60 cases in 2009 and this is due to sanctions and fees. "People are starting to realize that one day they will be caught and punished for illegal hunting," said Papoyan.
The official says the illegal hunters were less interested in large animals like boars and more interested in rabbits and quails. Nevertheless, there was one case of illegal hunting of wild pigs in Khosrov forest and the damage cost 1 million drams.
According to Karen Papoyan, by the decision of the National Academy of Sciences the RA Minister of Nature Protection affirms the year and period for hunting. Papoyan also said the hunters' union pays a set price to the Ministry and carries out the amateur hunting.
The Ministry official also said the Ministry sets a permissible invoice for hunting boars and hunters must pay 50,000 drams for that.
Karen Papoyan didn't mention who is interested in hunting large animals and only said the inspectorate is as strict with average illegal hunters as well as hunters who are state officials.
There are 4 hunters' unions in Armenia with the status of non-governmental organization and nearly 30,000 members.
