Ethnoecology, Resource Use, Conservation And Development In A ...

herd, anticipate its movements and intercept it. This is more pronounced on
occasions when the herd is spotted near to the forest edge and trailed before
emerging onto the savannah, or retreats into the forest at the sight of people. In
such cases, a number of men with dogs will attempt to head off the herd in the
forest and drive it out on to the savannah or to where others lie in wait along farming
roads. In most circumstances though, each individual seeks to maximise his own
chances of killing the greatest number possible. Aside from a precaution not to kill
the lead animal (see chapter 5.4), no restraint is exercised on the take and wholesale
slaughter will commonly ensue. A successful group hunt of a large herd will usually
see most families take at least one animal; some individuals are fortunate enough to
kill several on such occasions. The extensive sharing of meat that takes place in the
following period of plenty ensures that very few, if any, in the village do not reap at
least some benefit. Those animals that do escape are often tracked by hunters -
especially those individuals who are unsuccessful in the initial hunt. This tactic
exploits the behaviour of members of a herd disrupted by hunting, who often remain
in or return to the vicinity of the hunt in an attempt to regroup.
Encounters between peccary herds and small hunting groups in the forest take a
different form. Most commonly, the first indication perceived will be the tracks of the
animals; herds are also often located by means of their distinctive sound or smell.
During the rainy season, when tracks are easy to follow, a herd may be tracked for
several days and over a considerable distance, often with the assistance of dogs.
When animals are located, hunters without dogs will employ stealth in attempting to
approach as closely as possible before identifying a target and shooting their arrow:
herds with experience of being hunted take flight on being disturbed by people and
are subsequently difficult to track down again. Dogs expedite the killing by moving
ahead of the hunters and rushing the peccaries, who respond by turning to face them
and standing their ground. This provides the hunters with time to approach the
animals more closely and take aim at a stationary target. The risks involved for the
dogs in facing well-armed and aggressive opponents are considerable; a single
peccary bite can prove fatal and mortality rates are high.
8.1.2 Hunting of collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu
The successful hunting of this species, known as bakuru, depends almost entirely on
the use of a dog trained for the purpose. On locating a herd, the dog gives chase, the
hunter following behind as fast as possible, shouting constant encouragement. The
peccaries typically respond by separating into smaller groups. If the dog persists in its