Chamois population recovering in Nidwalden

In the coming autumn and winter hunting season, virtually the same amount of red deer and roe deer may be taken as in the previous year.

The cantonal government has issued the 2022 hunting regulations for the canton of Nidwalden. Compared to the previous season, the amount of red deer that may be shot during the high season, conservation, and regulation hunts remains virtually unchanged. In total, 23 stags (previous year: 21) and 60 head of antlerless deer (65) — i.e. female red deer and calves — are released for culling. To ensure the protection of mother animals is maintained, the calf must continue to be taken before the adult female. Roe deer hunting has proven its worth in recent years and the population has remained stable. No changes are therefore called for. Licence holders without a high-season permit may take one adult roe deer and one fawn; holders of a high-season permit are granted one roe doe or two fawns.

The cantonal government and the hunting commission have noted with pleasure that a slight increase in the chamois population in Nidwalden has been recorded, after the population had been declining across the entire Alpine arc in recent years. «The quota restriction on chamois introduced two years ago has certainly contributed to thisThe quota restriction on chamois introduced two years ago has certainly contributed to this», says Justice and Security Director Karin Kayser-Frutschi. She adds: «In order to support this trend and to ensure sustainable chamois hunting in the future, the quota restriction will be maintained for the time being.»

As in the previous year, 60 animals are approved for culling, of which 16 are chamois bucks. Again, only one chamois may be shot per person. The high-season hunt runs from 1 to 22 September 2022; chamois may be taken from 3 September onwards. The small game season runs from 15 October to 30 November (except roe deer: until 4 November only).