Alcohol and Weapons: The Drinking Problem of Hobby Hunters
Both the marksmanship of hunters, alcohol consumption, and the many hunting accidents themselves give cause for concern.
An old saying goes: «No hunter has ever been found who did not enjoy tobacco, wine, and women.»
Alcohol and relationship problems as well as violent fantasies are a well-known issue within the hunting community. This is no secret.
In the course of collecting signatures in the canton of Zurich for the cantonal popular initiative Wildlife Wardens Instead of Hunters of 2018, the initiators repeatedly noted concern from the public about the alcohol consumption of hobby hunters while hunting in the canton.
In the past, the alcohol consumption of hobby hunters was also addressed by Swiss Animal Protection (STS) and even by the Bernese Hunting Association. The latter called on its hunters to “show restraint when consuming alcohol” before the hunt. The reason: the number of missed shots requiring a follow-up search is increasing.
Older members in particular among the hobby hunters roaming the forests need high-proof “airm juice” from a hip flask to keep a steady finger (due to nerves, tremors, etc.) on the trigger. Across Switzerland, many hobby hunters themselves complain that far too much alcohol is consumed while hunting.
The Zurich Hunting Warden Association writes, for example: … Very few hunters subject themselves to regular and intensive training at the shooting range. …Where would these shaky-handed, ear-picking types suddenly get the ability to shoot safely and handle everything else…
In the years 2011–2015, a total of 1,526 injuries caused by hunting accidents were recorded by accident insurers. In addition, at least a good dozen fatalities — and this within the hunting community alone!
Investigating authorities repeatedly find that after a hunting accident, violations of the law, and so on, hobby hunters close ranks. “Omertà,” as it is known in the Mafia, means the “black sheep” within the ranks of hunters are difficult to catch. Police officers are often hobby hunters themselves.
The consequence of alcohol consumption during hunting is that drunk or hungover hobby hunters, with reduced reaction speed and perception, fail to make clean shots at the animals, causing them to suffer unnecessarily. The wildlife flee and die in agony. In addition, there is also a risk of injury and misidentification for third parties.
In the days leading up to the start of the seasonal hunting season in autumn, one can observe crates of the nation's number one recreational drug being purchased and carried into hunting cabins. The same can be observed year-round in certain pubs, where hobby hunters doze off in a drunken stupor and then not infrequently drive away drunk. Many hunters have a creeping alcohol problem. Drunk hobby hunters also repeatedly make it into the news. Hikers and walkers frequently encounter hobby hunters who are dead drunk, reeking of alcohol.
Hobby hunters not infrequently start drinking before a driven hunt or group hunt. Or during breaks, alcohol is passed around among the beaters. On a stalking or stand hunt, a hip flask of alcohol is a trusted companion for many hobby hunters. Tea with rum or rum with tea, white wine, beer, and so on also lead to excesses during the hunt. The IG Wild beim Wild has also observed hunters smoking cannabis while hunting. Drinking is, like animal cruelty, part of hunting. These are traditions that cannot simply be argued away.
There is also footage here of a typical hunting party in Switzerland that essentially does nothing but drink all day.
At the latest after the hunt, during the so-called «Schüsseltreiben», alcohol flows even more uninhibitedly. Why, exactly? For what reasonable occasion? If soldiers behaved as badly as hobby hunters do on a hunt, they would be dishonorably discharged from military service straight into a psychiatric facility. The same would apply in the police force.
Alcohol consumption also has a significant influence on criminal behavior. Violent crimes in particular tend to be committed under the influence of alcohol, which fits hand in glove with hunting. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases risk-taking among hobby hunters.
Demands from IG Wild beim Wild
From the perspective of IG Wild beim Wild, the threshold at which a hobby hunter is considered unreliable under firearms law for handling weapons while under the influence of alcohol should bemandatory at 0.0 blood alcohol level must be enforced, as is the case in military or police service. Anyone who goes hunting goes out to kill. No one may handle a weapon — let alone fire one — while under the influence of alcohol. Anyone who is alcohol-dependent must have their hunting and firearms licence revoked immediately. After hunting accidents, mandatory alcohol tests must be introduced. In addition, medical-psychological assessments are required for hobby hunters — following the example of the Netherlands — as well as an upper age limit. The largest age group among hobby hunters is likely, as in Germany as well, those aged 65+, individuals with age-related, visual, concentration, and reaction impairments, as well as training and performance deficits.
In Switzerland, apart from the canton of Zurich and, since 1 January 2023, the canton of Neuchâtel, no canton has a legal blood alcohol limit in its hunting legislation — which is frankly nothing short of shameful and constitutes irresponsible nature and animal protection.
In other countries, alcohol is prohibited during hunting. Hungary, for example, has long enforced a 0.0 blood alcohol limit — both for driving and for hunting!
Consequences of Alcohol Consumption
The word «alkohol» (alcohol) comes from the Arabic «al-kuhl», meaning «spirit that devours the body». A ghoul is a being that appears in various mythological and literary forms.
This is precisely why many alcoholic drinks are called «spirits» etc., because one can become possessed by another entity.
Ghoul-like entities frequent places where people regularly drink alcohol (bars, etc.). When someone is very drunk, it is possible that the pure soul leaves the body, due to the discomfort that the intoxicated state creates for it. Once the soul leaves the body attached by a thin thread, other malevolent entities of low frequency can enter the empty vessel and may even lock themselves in. Once these entities have taken hold of the body, they use it to experience all manner of dark acts, such as violence, sexual debauchery, destructive behavior, rape, and more.
This is also why hunting dogs do not like being near intoxicated hobby hunters. They see and sense the negative vibrations emanating from those who are inebriated. Dogs can therefore react with anxiety and sometimes aggression.
