Knowledge and faunal game uses by indigenous hunters Tupinamba from Olivenca (Bahia)

This study shows how indigenous hunters Tupinamba de Olivenca (Bahia) know and use wildlife hunting. As methods for obtaining data were used open interviews and semi-structured from August 2006 to July 2008. We interviewed 48 native hunters, with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years. When they were asked to mention the animals occurring in the region, the indigenous hunters illustrated 42 different species. The real armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the largest animal captured by hunters. There were two main uses of wildlife: a resource such as food and medicinal use. Among the methods used for hunting the most used are traps. According to the investigation, the activity of hunting is practiced less frequently in summer. Most indigenous hunting more often in barns nearby, as prey on males and adults. The data obtained in this study may be used as a source of knowledge to support conservation strategies in federal protected areas in the region.