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The traditional way to deal with hunting interests is often focused on predator control. This approach requires a detailed understanding of predator responses to game management. Control methods can be non‐selective and, consequently, can potentially have a negative impact on non‐target predator species, affecting carnivore guild. In order to assess the potential risks associated with non‐selective predator control in the presence of intraguild competition, the classical Lotka–Volterra competition model was used, but with two additional factors: a linear factor for capture mortality (mortality caused by predator control) and a factor for vacated niche occupancy associated with immigration. Simulation in a scenario with three species revealed that one of them, the red fox Vulpes vulpes, which presented the highest intrinsic growth rate, can show population increases even under moderate control, whereas the population of European badger Meles meles, with a lower intrinsic growth rate, was reduced and, in some cases, may even become extinct. Lastly, the stone marten Martes foina presented a differential response, depending on the removal intensity and strategy employed. This behaviour is compatible with the results observed in a Mediterranean environment subjected to two types of game management: non‐selective predator control (culling) and no control. In areas with non‐selective control and moderate predator removal, the red fox population remained stable, while the stone marten and the European badger populations reduced markedly or disappeared.

Predator control has historically shaped management towards minimising predator pressure on sensitive species in most hunting and protected areas. Despite widespread use, few studies of medium-sized carnivores have evaluated such control. To fill this void, we studied the effect of control on shaping a carnivore community consisting of European badgers Meles meles Linnaeus, 1758, stone martens Martes foina Erxleben, 1777 and red foxes Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758, in the Serra de Montsant area (NE Spain), and we report the recovery dynamics for different habitats (forest, scrubland and cultivated land) over time (3 years) when that control was halted. The results show that non-selective predator control is inadequate to reconcile the conservation of ecosystems with hunting. Specifically, it favours the frequency of occurrence of red foxes, which are the main consumer of small game species, and also reduces the frequency of occurrence of European badgers and stone martens, which are protected species. The recovery or regression sequence was observed over time in an area where there had previously been control, and was compared with the point of reference provided by an uncontrolled area. The results show the recovery of European badgers (135% over 3 years) and stone martens (285% over 3 years), and the regression of red foxes (-10% over 3 years) when control is halted. Monitoring the different habitats, European badgers recover first on cultivated land, then scrubland and more slowly in forest. Stone martens recover first in forest, and then scrubland and cultivated land. In contrast, red foxes maintain their numbers in scrubland, and decline slightly in forest and on cultivated land. The observed preferences have been associated with the capacity to meet basic needs of food, protection and balance with competitors.

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