Intoxicated hobby hunter threatens cyclist with weapon

The debate over rules on alcohol consumption in recreational hunting is being revived after a cyclist was threatened with a weapon by a hobby hunter in the canton of Neuchâtel.

Roger Pogialli was out on an afternoon MTB ride on 17 November 2018 in Chaumont. Shortly afterwards, he spotted a hobby hunter, estimated to be around 25 to 30 years old, aimlessly pointing his weapon into the forest. When the hobby hunter noticed him, he directed the weapon at Roger Pogialli and kept him in his sights for several seconds. The hobby hunter reportedly had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

«We do not condone it, if it really happened that way,» says Jean-Francois Sunier, president of the Neuchâtel Hunters’ Association.

Should we enact legislation?

In Switzerland, no federal or cantonal law prohibits or restricts alcohol consumption during recreational hunting, except in the canton of Zurich.

If we set blood alcohol limits for drivers or boaters, we should do the same for those who walk through the forest with a weapon in their hands, believes National Councillor Adèle Thorens.

It is not uncommon for hobby hunters to start drinking before driven hunts or group hunts. In the past, the alcohol consumption of hobby hunters has also been raised as an issue by the Swiss Animal Protection organisation (STS). The Bernese Hunting Association called on its hunters to “show restraint when consuming alcohol” before going hunting. The reason: the number of missed shots is increasing.

Between 2011 and 2015, a total of 1’526 injuries resulting from hunting accidents were recorded by accident insurers. In addition, there were at least a good dozen fatalities. More on crime and recreational hunting and on the psychology of recreational hunting.