Hunting is not only a tradition in Andalusia, but A key economic engine for many rural municipalities. Its impact goes beyond direct employment, energizing sectors such as hospitality, trade and services. Moreover, hunting activity is a key attractiveness for national and international hunters, which ensures Essential income for the local economy from various locationsthanks to their rural environments.
On the other hand, in addition to its economic relevance, hunting contributes to set population in rural areas. Many neighbors find in this activity and their associated businesses – from preserve guards to restorers and fauna managers – a source of livelihood. Hence Many municipalities have opted for hunting tourism as part of its development strategy, promoting the conservation of the preserves and facilitating the arrival of visitors. For reasons like these, hunting is a fundamental pillar for The survival of Rural Andalusia.
Each is fundamental in many municipalities
Hornachuelosin the province of Córdoba, it is a clear example of how hunting sustains the economy of many Andalusian rural municipalities. With a vast extension of mountain land and a deeply rooted hunting tradition, this activity generates direct and indirect employment in the area, benefiting various economic sectors. He explains Mari Carmen MuñozCouncilor of the City of Hornachuelos: «Here hunting is a fundamental pillar. First, nothing else must be seen the amount of hectares that the municipality has, which most are in what is Sierra. And then the amount of jobs he gives in the town and in the region; In the field of rehalers, the large company we have of meat, catering … what is montería in general ».
Species such as wild boar are one of the most emblematic hornachuelos
Fac
Hunting, especially monteria, it is the most recognized modalitybut minor hunt also has an important weight in the town. In addition to the impact on employment, hunting also encourages tourism in Hornachuelos, although with a very specific profile: «It moves enough tourism; Of course, it is one -day tourism. People who come for monteria, come the night to sleep … is a weekend tourism, although Many people visit us for the issue of hunting». Beyond hunters, the attractiveness of the natural environment also generates interest among those who seek to see emblematic species such as wild boar or deer.
In this sense, the link between hunting and the local economy is so narrow that it is difficult to find a family in which no one depends, directly or indirectly, on this activity. «Many people live from hunting. It is rare that a family does not have someone working on something related to hunting», Says Murillo, who also does not hesitate to highlight the potential of Hornachuelos as a hunting and natural destination:«For any fan of the hunting world, this is wonderful. We have a privileged environment, with good food, good trails, good animals, hunting area, some reservoirs with good views … we don’t lack anything.
Hunt also generates many tabajo stalls
Another municipality whose economy is dynamized by hunting is El Pedroso, in the province of Seville. Sergio Vela, mayor of the municipalityIt emphasizes that this «is a town with many hectares and many of them are hunting. There are large surfaces and landowners who are dedicated to huntingboth for hobby and business ».
The deer, one of the most relevant species of Hornachuelos
Elena Muñoz
The impact on employment is significant, with farms that can have 80 workers in Montería season. «It gives a lot of work. Everyone discharged, with Social Security … There are also subsidiaries of meats, ”explains Vela. Apart, the hunting sector not only generates direct jobs on the farms, but also dynamizes local trade and hospitality. And, during the hunting days, The bars and restaurants of the municipality experience a remarkable increase in their activity. Therefore, for the mayor of El Pedroso, hunting is a pillar of the municipality’s economy. «Not having hunt, for the people, it would be a very fat stick at work level», He says. In addition, it highlights the profile of hunting tourism that visits the area: «It is a quality tourism. When one is on vacation, he spends money and, that, generates wealth ».
As a point, the most practiced modalities in El Pedroso cover both the big and the minor, with species such as deer, deer and wild boar in the Monterías, as well as the forgive with claim and the slut. «The hunt is part of the El Pedroso industry; It is fundamental, ”concludes Vela.
Hunting activities drive the economy
Aldeaquemada stands as another of the Andalusian municipalities where hunting is not only an activity with a deep -rooted tradition, but also a engine of economic development. Manuel Fernández, mayor of this town of Jaénhighlights the fundamental role of this activity in the area: «Sierra Morena is one of the areas of Spain where there are and Aldeaquemada has both major and minor hunting tradition. That tradition is always, with animals from here, such as The deer or the wild boar».
The commitment of the City Council for Take advantage of hunting resources It has been key to energizing the local economy. Fernández recounts his own experience at the head of an initiative that has allowed the natural wealth of the environment and local products to be transformed: «When I entered the mayor, I looked for a partner; I put the land and he, money. We set up a factory so that the wealth that was raised in the area was transformed into a product. Hence one of the importance of hunting ». Since then, hunting management has grown, and the Erabylaceda municipal farm, of 1,850 hectares, has diversified its fauna: «There were only deer and, now, deer, gamos and muflones. The meat is taken directly to the factory. Approximately, we get about 60,000 euros a year in hunting».
The muflones, one of the species that abound in village
Elena Muñoz
As for the social dimension of hunting in Aldeaquemada, its mayor explains that «We give a montería for 200 euros; That day of coexistence is wonderful ». In addition, hunting activity generates direct employment among the inhabitants of the municipality since «contract to people’s personnel. So, what the hunter pays, then distributed to the people. What I get from the hunt, I invest in the farm. I sow to improve animals pastures. TThe money has an impact on the farm and I give enough wages». Hunting tourism also has a significant weight in the local economy, attracting national and international visitors. «On the Uncarabalaceda farm we have a house, we have recovered it. It is a rural house where they come mostly Americans, Germans, people from Denmark, Norway … there they stay and, the meals, a boy from here that makes them very good, ”says Fernández. In addition, the restoration of former chozos of shepherds has added one more attraction for visitors: «We have them for photographs. All of that is an economic impact for the people».
A development engine
Beyond the relevance of these testimonies, Hunting has been historically key in the Andalusian rural environmentnot only culturally and environmentally, but also as an economic engine, since it generates employment, wealth and contributes to the conservation of the natural environment. According to A Deloitte report for the Artemisan Foundation (2016), hunting generated 6,475 million euros in GDP in Spain and 186,758 jobs. In Andalusia, its impact is significant, providing income to hunters, rural and hotel guards, among others. In addition, prediction managers invest 300 million euros per year in conservation, which reinforces their role in sustainable development.
In this sense, Andalusia is a privileged destination for its diversity of ecosystems and climate, which makes it a hunting referent. Highlights such as Sierra Morena, Cazorla or Los Alcornocales For the big game, while The countryside of Cádiz and Seville It is ideal for minor hunting. Also, emblematic species such as the Montés goat attract hunters around the world, and although the red partridge and migratory birds have seen their number reduced, they remain relevant in the sector.
However, one of the main challenges facing hunting in Andalusia is The bureaucracy associated with obtaining licensesboth for national and foreign hunters. In this context, the incorporation of Andalusia into the interautonomic hunting license, announced by the Board, will facilitate access to hunters from other communities. However, it is still necessary to expedite the validation of foreign licenses to further enhance hunting tourism.
