Hobby hunters don't want the rock ptarmigan protected

Some birds and mammals that would be huntable outside of closed seasons under the Hunting Act may nevertheless not be hunted if the canton places them under protection or designates them as non-huntable for a specific period.

The grey partridge (Perdix perdix), rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) and woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), which appear on the Red List of endangered bird species, are examples of this regulation. Cantons may also extend closed seasons or temporarily restrict the list of huntable or catchable species (a “moratorium”), as has happened in various cantons for the European hare (Lepus europaeus) and the grayling (Thymallus thymallus). Cantons are obliged to do so when the protection of locally threatened species requires it. With prior approval from FOEN, they may temporarily shorten closed seasons in order to reduce overly large populations or preserve biodiversity.

The Ticino Director of Environment and Transport, Claudio Zali, has now removed the rock ptarmigan from the list of huntable species.

Hobby hunters from the hunting association, however, believe they have a legitimate right before the Federal Court to kill a species in difficulty for sport. The appeal filed with the Federal Court against this government decision to introduce a moratorium protecting the rock ptarmigan once again reveals the true nature of these people.

Whenever common sense takes a step to protect nature, the recreational hunters systematically oppose it.Upon close analysis, hobby hunting protects and benefits absolutely nothing!

«Unprecedented political diktat»

Amateur hunter Fabio Regazzi on the moratorium for the rock ptarmigan

The CVP member of the National Council has repeatedly made a negative impression in the past as a ringleader, including when it came to animal welfare. He vigorously opposed the Locarnese National Park and sought to keep the cruel barbed hooks make fishing socially acceptable again. During his legislative term 2015–2019, he, like the other hobby hunters in parliament, also voted predominantly against the environment.

The rock ptarmigan has been on the Red List of the Federal Office for the Environment since 2010. It is protected in several places. I am not a scientist, but I think I can state that shooting a species neither promotes the maintenance of its numbers nor an increase, and I take into account the fact that its natural habitat is suffering from the effects of global warming. Unless you want to deny that there is a problem: just as Trump can, so can Regazzi. I recall that hobby hunters are free to kill around 3’500 animals of various species each year: partridge kills in 2018 numbered 15. Fifteen animals killed that are not even eaten: at best they are stuffed or thrown away. They are killed purely for fun.

Claudio Zali

Government President Claudio Zali concludes in the article in the Ticino media landscape that cooperation with hobby hunters is only acceptable as long as it is a one-way street in favour of the wildlife killers. Otherwise, the aggressors turn abusive.