Fribourg Hobby Hunters Fail at Wild Boar Hunt

With the new ordinance, Fribourg is responding to the sharp rise in wild boar damage.

This hunt is limited to three days per week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday) and is permitted each morning and evening for a set period before and after sunrise and sunset respectively.

Neither the regular hunting season nor additional measures, such as the extraordinary extension of hunting in February 2019, have been able to contain the extent of the damage. In 2018, compensation payments amounted to 160 333 francs, compared to an average of 76 926 francs over the previous four years.

Under federal and cantonal hunting legislation in Fribourg, wild boar hunting for population management purposes may exceptionally be permitted.

Hunting for wild boar remains prohibited in forests and wildlife reserves. Hobby hunters must report every kill to the cantonal police so that it can respond to any public enquiries about shots heard.

The hunting periods are similar to those in the canton of Vaud, where hunting wild boar in July and August is also permitted. The aim is to harmonise the approach with that of neighbouring cantons. The licence fee of 50 francs has been deliberately kept low to provide an incentive for hobby hunters to participate in this hunt.

Opening the hunting season during a period of the year that is usually quiet for wildlife could be disruptive for nesting birds and other wildlife species. However, the State Council takes the view that the principle of proportionality is respected, since measures have been taken to prevent any potential disturbances. Hunting is not permitted in forests or wildlife reserves, andhunting is restricted to the wildlife sectors in which2018 and early 2019 repeated crop damage was recorded.. Furthermore, the measure is limited to 2019 and a review will be conducted to evaluate whether it was justified and effective.