The hunting season for pheasants and hares closes on Sunday, January 13. Only the hunting of foxes will be allowed from next week, Info-Prim Neo reports. Senior cynegetician of the Society of Hunters and Fishermen of Moldova Igor Melniciuc said that the people can hunt only predatory pests after January 13. In Moldova, the pests are the foxes. According to the Society of Hunters and Fishermen, the large fox population, of 35 animals per 1,000 ha, seriously diminishes the number of hares. Furthermore, the foxes steal fowls from people when they do not have what to eat. According to Igor Melniciuc, not everybody is allowed to hunt foxes. The hunting activities must be coordinated with the local Ecological Inspectorate. The optimal number of foxes for Moldova is 2-3 animals per 1,000 ha. Igor Melniciuc said that a number of poachers had been caught during the ending heating season, but information about the damage caused by them and about the steps taken by the Society’s members will be provided after January 17.