Modern Methods of Carrying out a Census of Game Animals

Abstract—Modern approaches to the organization of hunting are based on the principles of sustainable development, requiring a combination of biodiversity conservation and economic efficiency, which is impossible without improving the accuracy and objectivity of data on the number of game animals. The presented review article discusses various types and methods of census for game animals: winter route census, survey and expert methods, run-through census, aerial census, line transect census, and track census. At the same time, the main emphasis is placed on the analysis of winter route census of animals as the main method for estimating the number of most game animals in the Russian Federation. As a possible complement or an independent alternative to census for the number of game animals, the prospects for the use of aerial census using unmanned aerial vehicles are considered.