The period from 1966 to 1970 marked an important phase in the organizational, economic, and legislative development of hunting in Novi Bečej. Through cooperation with tourist agencies, improvements in internal organization, the adoption of legal frameworks, and systematic game management planning, the Hunting Organization of Novi Bečej (OLS Novi Bečej) strengthened its role in the local hunting sector.
1966 – Cooperation with Foreign Partners
In 1966, OLS Novi Bečej submitted an offer to the tourist agency Generalturist, Belgrade branch, following correspondence dated December 6 of the same year. The established prices for game were:
- Hare – 4,000 lire
- Pheasant – 3,250 lire
- Roe deer – 25,000 lire
- Wild duck – 2,000 lire
- Wild goose – 5,000 lire
A 10% commission was charged on the total invoice value.
This cooperation indicates the active involvement of the hunting ground in international hunting tourism, particularly toward the Italian market, which represented an important source of income.
1968 – Intensive Harvest and Organizational Strengthening
According to the Work Report of OLS Novi Bečej for the 1968/69 hunting season, the following numbers of game were recorded:
Predators and vermin:
- Fox – 773
- Polecat – 104
- Weasel – 136
- Muskrat – 210
- Sparrowhawk – 39
- Hooded crow – 327
- Magpie – 2,344
- Stray dogs – 68
- Feral cats – 31
Noble game:
- Roe deer – 130
- Hare – 2,716
- Pheasant – 2,097
- Partridge – 448
- Quail – 61
- Turtle dove – 6,575
- Woodcock – 12
- Wild geese – 5
- Wild ducks – 20
During the same season, 1,070 live hares were captured and exported, while an additional 184 harvested hares were sold.
Adoption of the Statute and Cooperation Agreement
In 1968, the Conference of the Hunting Association of Novi Bečej appointed a Commission to draft a new Statute. Despite frequently working with incomplete membership, the Commission successfully prepared the document.
The Managing Board of the Hunting Association drafted a Cooperation Agreement with OLS Novi Bečej, which was officially adopted on July 13, 1968. At the same session, new leadership was elected:
- President: Dragan Kiževski
- Vice President: Dušan Škrbić
- Secretary: Mladen Lazić
By decision of the Managing Board, the hunting officer Imre Pataki undertook a business trip to Italy from May 24 to June 2, 1968, in order to negotiate and reserve summer and autumn hunting arrangements.
1969 – Legal Framework and Management Planning
The Hunting Management Plan for the period 1969–1973 was adopted in accordance with the 1966 Law on Hunting of the Republic of Serbia, which remained in force until 1973. Amendments adopted in 1967 transferred certain rights from the Republic to municipal assemblies, based on the Federal Basic Law on Hunting of 1965.
The hunting ground of OLS Novi Bečej was established by decision of the Municipal Assembly of Novi Bečej (No. 9/66) and assigned to OLS Novi Bečej for management by official decision dated November 4, 1966. The rights and obligations of OLS were regulated by a contract signed on December 31, 1966.
Until the end of 1966, the hunting ground had been managed by the hunting associations of:
- Novi Bečej
- Novo Miloševo
- Kumane “Svetozar Berić”
- Bočar
The total area of the hunting ground covered 60,941 hectares, of which 59,564 hectares were classified as productive hunting land. The Hunting Association of Novi Bečej managed 28,311 hectares, with 27,666 hectares designated as hunting area.
1970 – Hunting Campaigns and New Administration
As part of the campaign “Hunt for Foxes,” initiated by the magazine Hunting News and supported by the Hunting Association of Vojvodina and the Hunting Cooperative “Vojvodina” from Novi Sad, hunter Veselin Stefkić from Novi Bečej won third prize. The award, valued at 1,350 dinars for the purchase of a domestically produced hunting rifle, was presented by the President of the Hunting Association of Vojvodina, Mladen Čomić.
At the Assembly of OLS Novi Bečej held on June 28, 1970, a new Managing Board was elected, along with a Supervisory Board responsible for oversight and accountability.
Conclusion
Between 1966 and 1970, hunting in Novi Bečej experienced significant organizational consolidation, legal structuring, and economic expansion. International cooperation, systematic wildlife management, and clearly defined governance mechanisms strengthened the professional character of hunting activities in the municipality. This period laid a solid foundation for further development and demonstrated a responsible approach to managing natural resources and hunting tourism in the region.
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