During the 1980s, hunting in the municipality of Novi Bečej experienced significant organizational and economic progress. Hunting grounds were improved, hunting tourism expanded, the number of foreign guests increased, and systematic investments were made in breeding and protecting game. Archival reports from this period clearly show how hunting became an important part of local economic and social life in the Banat plain.

1981

According to records of the spring roe deer hunt up to July 25, 1981, five groups of foreign hunters visited Novi Bečej – three from Italy and two from Germany.
A total of 11 hunters harvested 39 roe deer, generating approximately 350,000 dinars (3,716,515 lire, 2,227.32 USD, and 8,294.65 DM).

1982

The Municipal Assembly of Novi Bečej adopted a hunting management plan for the unified hunting ground covering the entire municipality for the period 1983–1987.

Five gamekeepers were permanently employed: two in the Novi Bečej Hunting Association and one in each of the other local hunting societies.

To stimulate hunting tourism, the municipality allocated 500,000 dinars from its budget, distributed among hunting societies according to their participation in tourism activities. The president of the Novi Bečej Hunting Association was Obrad Živković.

1983

A total of 11,600 pheasant chicks were released into the hunting grounds, 2,100 more than in 1982.

By hunting societies:

• Novi Bečej – 6,000
• Novo Miloševo – 4,000
• Kumane – 1,000
• Bočar – 600

1984

In a competition for the best-maintained hunting grounds, Novi Bečej was ranked among exemplary hunting areas in Vojvodina.

Summer hunt results:

• 1,833 turtle doves
• 1,257 collared doves and wild pigeons
• 149 quails
• 1 roe deer

A total of 27 groups (135 hunters) achieved 227 hunting days.

1985

In 1984, 11,400 pheasant chicks were released into the hunting grounds, and in 1985 this number increased to 12,000.

Income from hunting tourism:

• 1983 – 11,092,134 dinars
• 1984 – 12,765,880 dinars
• 1985 – about 20,000,000 dinars

A total of 443 hunting tourists visited in 1985. Net profit from tourism reached nearly 17 million dinars.

An agreement was signed with the hunting tourism agency Lovoturs, as well as cooperation with the hunting tourism agency “Ečka.”

Summer hunt 1985:

• 3,756 turtle doves
• 1,108 collared doves and pigeons
• 66 quails
• 3 roe deer

A total of 44 groups (207 hunters) achieved 305 hunting days.

1986

Summer hunt results:

• 3,391 turtle doves
• 1,358 collared doves and pigeons
• 715 quails

A total of 42 groups (178 hunters) achieved 339 hunting days.

1987

The Novi Bečej Hunting Society had 279 members, including 38 honorary members.

For winter feeding of game:

• 60,000 kg of grain feed
• 15,000 kg of roughage

A total of 4,000 pheasant chicks were released, but many were lost due to severe storms with hail.

Summer hunt results:

• 3,773 turtle doves
• 1,550 collared doves and pigeons
• 1,327 quails
• 83 wild ducks
• 118 snipes
• 9 woodcocks

A total of 49 groups (249 hunters) achieved 465 hunting days.

1988

Summer hunt results:

• 1,096 turtle doves
• 3,092 collared doves and pigeons
• 1,896 quails
• 22 wild ducks
• 30 snipes

A total of 41 groups (167 hunters) achieved 404 hunting days.

1989

The Hunting Association of Vojvodina received development funds from the Provincial Executive Council and, together with its own resources, purchased 9,500 pheasant chicks for hunting grounds across Vojvodina.

Part of this stock was allocated to hunting societies in the Novi Bečej municipality, with the obligation to repay through hunting tourism revenues.

Conclusion

The period from 1981 to 1989 represents a time of steady development for hunting in the Novi Bečej municipality. Hunting grounds were systematically improved, game populations were increased, and hunting tourism became a significant source of income. Cooperation with foreign hunters and tourism agencies confirms that hunting played an important economic and social role in the Banat region.

These records testify to the serious organization of hunting societies and their efforts to balance economic benefits with responsible management and preservation of wildlife resources.