The period from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s marked a time of intensive organization, structured planning, and modernization of hunting in Vojvodina, including the municipality of Novi Bečej. Archival records, official minutes, and professional publications testify to a clearly defined strategy in wildlife management, game breeding, export activities, and habitat improvement.
Below is a chronological overview of the most significant events and data from that period.
1958 – Regulation of Live Game Export
At the Assembly of the Hunting Association of Vojvodina, held on June 22, 1958, an important decision was adopted concerning the export of live game, primarily hares.
It was concluded that live game must be exported exclusively through the Association and the Hunting Cooperative of Vojvodina. The distribution of net income from export was defined as follows:
- 50% to local hunting societies
- 30% to district hunting associations
- 20% to the Provincial Hunting Association
This decision represented a major step toward centralized and planned financial management within the hunting sector.
(Source: Vojvođanski lovac, No. 11–12/1958; Monograph of the Hunting Association of Vojvodina, 1992, p. 422)
1961 – Five-Year Development Plan
At the meeting of the Executive Board of the Novi Bečej Hunting Society, held on August 26, 1961, the “Five-Year Development Plan for Hunting in Novi Bečej (1961–1965)” was officially adopted.
The commission responsible for drafting the plan consisted of:
- Zoltan Kelemen (Chairman)
- Imre Pataki
- Dušan Vrebalov
- Miloš Josimović
- Milivoj Cvejin
- Jovan Glavaški
The adoption of this document confirms that hunting in Novi Bečej was already functioning according to long-term planning principles in the early 1960s.
(Source: Minutes of the Executive Board meeting, August 26, 1961)
1963 – Report on Game Harvest and Wildlife Control
The Report on Harvested and Eliminated Game for 1963, submitted on April 10, 1964 (signed by Vladimir Lukić), provides detailed insight into wildlife numbers and hunting intensity.
Recorded figures include:
- Wild ducks – 655
- Foxes – 19 (plus 67 older foxes)
- Polecats – 18
- Sparrowhawks – 356
- Carrion crows – 1,242
- Hooded crows – 734
- Magpies – 1,426
- Jackdaws – 342
- Jays – 53
- Stray dogs – 122
- Stray cats – 85
- Roe deer – 71
- Hares – 1,578 harvested and 1,400 captured alive
- Pheasants – 554
- Partridges – 325
- Quails – 254
- Wild pigeons – 350
- Wild geese – 65
These data reflect intensive wildlife management, including both game species and predator control.
(Source: Report on Harvested and Eliminated Game, 1963)
1964 – Expansion of Pheasantries and Trade in Live Hares
Development of Pheasantries
According to Lovačke novine (November 1, 1964), one of the largest pheasantries in Vojvodina was located in Novi Bečej. Breeding flocks ranged between 500 and 1,000 hens.
During winter, it was planned to introduce between 5,000 and 6,000 hens and approximately 2,000 roosters into municipal pheasantries.
Breeding stock by municipality:
- Novi Kneževac – 1,500 hens
- Novi Bečej – 600
- Žitište – 840
- Čoka – 600
- Sečanj, Nova Crnja, and Zrenjanin – 500 each
- Perlez – 300
(Source: Lovačke novine, No. 62, November 1, 1964)
Release of Partridges
On March 6, 1964, after wintering, 477 partridges were released into the hunting grounds. The event was attended by representatives of the District Hunting Association and the Novi Bečej Hunting Society.
(Source: Official record on the release of partridges, March 6, 1964)
Delivery of Live Hares
In 1964, a total of 960 live hares were delivered:
- 441 females
- 358 males
- 138 additional males
During transport, 23 animals died (17 females and 6 males).
(Source: Report of the District Hunting Association Zrenjanin, March 7, 1964)
1965 – Production, Floods, and Financial Results
Pheasantry Production
In 1965, the Novi Bečej Municipal Hunting Association produced 1,500 pheasant chicks:
- Novo Miloševo – 100
- Kumane – 70
- Bočar – 90
- Retained for breeding – 150
- Released into Novi Bečej hunting grounds – approximately 1,000
Additionally, 40 wild ducks (30 females and 10 males) were purchased to establish a breeding flock. From 600 collected eggs, approximately 500 ducklings hatched.
Two pairs of partridges were kept for artificial breeding, while hunters collected 60 partridge eggs from the field. Seventeen young hares were also kept for breeding purposes.
Agricultural Land for Game Support
In 1965, the Hunting Society cultivated the following crops on its land:
- 3.35 cadastral acres of sorghum
- 17.7 cadastral acres of corn
- 4 cadastral acres of alfalfa
- 1.12 cadastral acres of millet
Floods on the Tisa River
In June 1965 (and again in February 1966), the Tisa River flooded the hunting grounds at the “Ljutovo” locality. During the floods, more than 200 animals were rescued and relocated.
Estimated direct and indirect damages exceeded 20,000,000 dinars.
Capture and Sale of Live Hares
The annual plan foresaw the capture of 1,000 hares, but 576 were captured:
- Novi Bečej – 362
- Novo Miloševo – 92
- Kumane – 56
- Bočar – 66
Prices achieved:
- 482 breeding pairs – 14,800 dinars per hare
- 94 males – 2,000 dinars per hare
Total revenue amounted to 7,321,600 dinars.
Conclusion
Between 1958 and 1965, hunting in Novi Bečej operated within a structured and economically significant system. Long-term development plans were adopted, breeding programs were established, wildlife populations were actively managed, and live game export generated substantial income.
Archival records from this period reveal not only organized wildlife management but also resilience in the face of natural disasters such as flooding. Together, these documents represent a valuable historical source for understanding the economic and ecological role of hunting in Novi Bečej during the 1960s.
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