The hunting areas of the Żmigród Forest Inspectorate are located in the heart of the Barycz Valley. The area of the Animal Breeding Unit (OHZ) is crossed from South to North by the vast surface of the Milicz Ponds. Such a location causes high variability of humidity conditions. Therefore pine-lichen forests are scarce on the Inspectorate’s area, while marshy meadows and wet-ground forests cover a much larger area. Diversified habitats are home to numerous forest animal species, including many game species.

The Animal Breeding Unit has been created by the ordinance of the Minister of Forestry and Wood Industry on October 12, 1965. It is divided into two game districts: no 41 of total area 21,529 ha (where forests cover 10,412 ha) and no 64 of total area 5,755 ha (where forests cover 790 ha). The wildlife management in the Animal Breeding Unit is currently based on a “Long-term game breeding plan” for 2007-2017.

Birds as well as big game can be hunted in both game districts. Large populations of deer, roes, boars, and fallow deer attract hunters from all over Europe. Over the recent years bird hunting (geese and ducks inhabit the local ponds) is gaining popularity. Moreover, fox, badger, raccoon dog, pheasant, and wood pigeon hunts are organised. The animal count which was conducted in March 2009 showed that there were 240 deer, 89 fallow deer, 797 roes, 300 boars, and 165 foxes. The average number of animals hunted yearly is: 100 deer, 40 fallow deer, 160 roes, 330 boars, and 180 foxes. Rational wildlife management makes it possible to keep the number of game on a steady level. The animals hunted in the last season included two medal deer males (gold and bronze medals), one medal fallow deer male (bronze) and three medal roebucks (one silver and two bronze medals).

The infrastructure of the Animal Breeding Unit is favourable to efficient wildlife management. There are 162 look-out towers, 50 feeding racks, and 281 salt licks. 60 ha of land have been transformed into hunting fields and more than 3 km of buffer belts have been created in order to keep the animals in the forest.

This area will appeal to hunting lovers. Apart from traditional hunts, you can also benefit from the generally accessible commercial fishing grounds or numerous bicycle paths which stretch in the forest.