Template texts for hunting-critical motions in cantonal parliaments

More and more parliamentarians want animal welfare and nature conservation-oriented hunting policies – and fail not due to lack of political will, but due to insufficient time for formulating concrete motions. This page consolidates all templates in one place.

On this page you will find over 80 ready-formulated template texts (including cantonal popular initiatives) for hunting-critical motions in cantonal parliaments and beyond. IG Wild beim Wild thereby provides template texts for motions, postulates, popular initiatives and other parliamentary proposals free of charge. Each text can be directly adopted, adapted to cantonal requirements and submitted. The texts are thematically organized according to the seven categories of wildbeimwild.com – so you can immediately find the appropriate scientific background and sources you need for justifying your motion.

Important notes on usage

• All texts are templates and must be legally and formally reviewed for cantonal legal requirements before submission.
• Legal designations, article numbers and parliamentary formats (motion, postulate, interpellation) must be completed according to cantonal requirements.
• The template texts consistently distinguish between patent hunting (around 65% of cantons, no territorial responsibility) and territorial hunting – please verify the applicable regulation in your own canton.
• Office holders, parties, organizations and committed private individuals may freely adopt and adapt all texts.
• Legal notice: IG Wild beim Wild assumes no liability for the legal correctness of submitted texts.
• For questions about canton-specific adjustments: Get in touch →

1. Fundamentals & Hunting in Switzerland

These initiatives target the basic structure of hobby hunting in Switzerland – from closed seasons to hunting bans and the pacification of private land. Scientific background, legal foundations (JSG, cantonal hunting laws, TSchG) and arguments in the Dossier: Fundamentals & Hunting in Switzerland →

• Hunting moratorium on private forests: Pacification of private property for ethical reasons
  Property owners should have the right to exempt their properties from hunting for ethical reasons – analogous to regulations in several EU states and the Geneva model.
• Ban on fox hunting: Science-based and animal ethics reorientation of cantonal hunting policy
  According to available research, fox hunting has no demonstrable population-regulating effect. This initiative demands a cantonal ban based on the Federal Hunting Act (JSG).
• Abolition of small game hunting: Protection of threatened species from recreational hunting
  Several small game species (hare, partridge, woodcock) are on Switzerland's Red List. This initiative demands an immediate hunting ban for endangered species.
• Ban on driven hunts
  Driven hunts with beaters, dogs and numerous shooters pose increased security risks and cause massive stress for wildlife. The initiative demands a cantonal ban.
• Protection of young animals and parent animals: consistent closed seasons and rest zones
  Scientifically based closed seasons and spatial rest zones during breeding, birthing and rearing periods should be made binding at cantonal level.
• Illegal hunting stands: Freeing forests from hunting proliferation
  Unauthorized hunting stands and hunting infrastructure illegally obstruct public forest areas. The initiative demands systematic controls and removal obligations.
• Hunting ban following Geneva's example: Replacing hobby hunting with professional wildlife management
  The canton of Geneva abolished hobby hunting in 1974 and replaced it with state wildlife management. The initiative demands a corresponding pilot project or popular initiative in their own canton.
• Hunting-free zones and pilot area following Geneva's example
  As a first step, defined areas should be made hunting-free for five years to scientifically document the ecological and social effects of abstaining from hunting.
• Curbing hobby hunting tourism: Ban on advertising trophy hunting trips and regulation of cantonal hunting licenses for foreign guests
  Commercial allocation of shooting rights for sought-after wildlife species to affluent hunting guests should be prevented and promotion of trophy hunting trips should require cantonal permits.
• Wildlife corridors instead of culling: Binding incorporation of habitat connectivity in cantonal spatial planning
  Wildlife corridors should be designated as priority areas in cantonal structure plans, green bridges should be mandatorily planned and culling in fragmented areas should be replaced by spatial planning measures.
• Hobby hunting and wildlife diseases: Independent examination of hunting's role in the spread of zoonoses and epidemics
  The role of hobby hunting in the spread of wildlife diseases should be independently examined, baiting should be banned and hygiene requirements should be tightened.
• Right to recreation without confrontation with hobby hunting: Ensuring free access to nature for the population
  Hunting-free weekends, digital hunting maps, recreation zones and reporting centers should ensure the population's right to undisturbed recreation in forests and nature.
• Mandatory biodiversity assessment before issuing culling permits
  Before any culling permit, an independent expert body should examine the impacts of planned removals on local and regional biodiversity.
• Professional game warden corps: Expansion and professionalization of cantonal wildlife management
  The cantonal game warden corps should be doubled, provided with a code of ethics and gradually established as the primary authority for wildlife management – following the example of the canton of Geneva.
• Reform of hobby hunter training: Mandatory animal welfare and ethics examination as prerequisite for hunting license
  Hunter training should be expanded to include mandatory modules in animal welfare law, animal ethics and wildlife ecology, supplemented with psychological aptitude assessment and periodic re-examination.

2. Politics, Lobbying & Media

These initiatives target the political influence of the hunting lobby, propaganda in schools and inappropriate privileges for hunting associations. Background information in the Dossier: Politics, Lobbying & Media →

• Curbing hunting propaganda with dead animals
  Public display of killed wildlife (game spreads, trophy shows) should be regulated at cantonal level – analogous to existing animal protection provisions for displaying animal carcasses.
• No hunting propaganda by hobby hunters in schools
  Hunting associations must not use public school hours for uncritical advertising for hobby hunting. The initiative demands binding criteria for external actors in educational institutions.
• Withdrawal of environmental privileges for hunting associations
  Hunting associations are recognized as nature conservation organizations in several cantons and enjoy corresponding tax and procedural privileges. This initiative demands a review of this classification based on demonstrable nature conservation contributions.
• Permit requirement for public hunting events: Regulating Hubertus masses, game spreads and hunting fairs
  Events where killed wildlife is publicly displayed or trophy hunting trips are advertised should be subject to cantonal permit requirements.
• Transparency about the interconnection between hunting administration and hunting associations: Disclosure of personal dual roles
  Personal and institutional interconnections between hunting administration and hunting associations should be made transparent and conflicts of interest should be prevented through incompatibility regulations.
• Lobby transparency and recusal obligation for hunting policy decisions
  Parliamentary members with hunting interests should be subject to disclosure and recusal obligations. A public lobby register should document all contacts between hunting associations and cantonal administration.

3. Hunting Methods, Safety & Technology

These initiatives address concrete safety risks, health hazards and technical aspects of recreational hunting. Studies, accident statistics and legal foundations in the Dossier: Hunting Methods, Safety & Technology →

• Effectively prevent alcohol and drug use during recreational hunting
  Unlike road traffic, most cantons have no binding alcohol limits for persons carrying firearms while hunting. This initiative demands regulations analogous to driving under the influence.
• Recreational hunting and criminality: tighten eligibility controls, reporting obligations and consequences
  Convictions for violent crimes should lead to immediate hunting license revocation. The initiative also demands mandatory psychological eligibility assessments for license issuance.
• Lead-free hunting: ban on lead-containing ammunition in the canton
  Lead-containing ammunition demonstrably contaminates wildlife carcasses and the environment. Germany and Austria have already taken steps toward restrictions. This initiative demands a cantonal ban.
• Ban on animal-torturing trap and decoy hunting
  Live animal traps, glue traps and certain decoy hunting methods directly contradict the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG Art. 4). This initiative demands an explicit cantonal ban.
• Public safety: minimum distances, exclusion zones, reporting obligations
  Use of firearms in forest areas near settlements, hiking trails and schools should be regulated through binding minimum distances and reporting obligations for hunting events.
• Transparent registration of hobby hunters in violent crimes
  Official statistics do not record whether perpetrators possess hunting licenses or whether hunting weapons were used. This initiative demands systematic data collection and annual publication as a basis for evidence-based violence prevention.
• Protection against domestic gun violence: hunting weapons, hobby hunters and femicides
  Hunting weapons are involved in a considerable number of femicides and domestic violence cases. This initiative demands systematic registration and preventive measures regarding weapon possession by hunting-licensed persons.
• Ban on high-tech hunting methods: no thermal cameras, night vision devices and drones for recreational hunting
  Thermal cameras, night vision optics, drones and digital decoy devices turn recreational hunting into a technologically upgraded killing machinery. This initiative demands a comprehensive cantonal ban.
• Protection of hunting dogs: ban earth hunting with dogs, reporting obligations for injuries and custody controls
  Hunting dogs are among the forgotten victims of recreational hunting. This initiative demands a ban on earth hunting with dogs, reporting obligations for injuries and binding custody standards.
• Reform of cantonal general hunting season: from traditional ritual to evidence-based wildlife management
  The blanket, area-wide general hunting season should be replaced by evidence-based management, sanctuary zones designated and transfer to the professional game warden model examined.
• African Swine Fever: no expansion of recreational hunting under the pretext of disease control
  Disease scenarios like ASF must not be used as a pretext for expanding recreational hunting. Evidence-based disease control instead of culling expansions.
• Restriction of stand hunting: baiting ban, night stand regulation and sanctuary zones
  Baiting of wildlife should be banned, night stands regulated and sanctuary zones made binding.
• Ban earth hunting: abolish one of the cruelest hunting forms
  Earth hunting – where dogs are sent into the burrows of foxes and badgers – should be completely and unconditionally banned.
• Regulation of pass hunting: restriction of winter hunting in high mountain corridors
  Pass hunting in wildlife corridors and during winter months should be banned, the species list restricted and abolition examined.
• Abolition of special hunting: transfer to professional game warden model
  Special hunting as an additional hunting period should be abolished and remaining regulatory tasks transferred to professional game management.

4. Animal Dignity, Violence Images & Psychological Dimension

These initiatives protect children from violent images, strengthen animal dignity and demand transparency about health risks of game meat. Scientific foundations in the Dossier: Animal Dignity, Violence Images & Psychological Dimension →

• Regulate trophy photos: protect animal dignity beyond death
  Sharing photos of killed wildlife on social media and in public spaces should be regulated analogous to violent content bans. Foundation: Animal Welfare Act (TSchG) and the constitutionally anchored dignity of creatures (Art. 120 Federal Constitution).
• Animal-torturing leisure formats and terrarium exhibitions
  Events that display living or dead animals in a degrading manner should require cantonal permits and be bannable for violations of the TSchG.
• Ban children and adolescents from hunting
  Minors are actively involved in hunting activities in several cantons. This initiative demands a minimum age of 18 years for any form of participation in hunting activities – invoking child welfare (Civil Code Art. 301 ff.) and youth protection.
• Make health risks of game meat transparent
  Game meat can contain lead residues, parasites and zoonoses. This initiative demands mandatory labeling requirements for directly marketed game meat and disclosure obligations toward consumers.
• Cantonal reporting obligation and statistics for all recreational hunting victims
  A comprehensive, mandatory reporting obligation and publicly accessible statistics for all personal injuries, property damage and animal injuries related to recreational hunting should be introduced.
• Cantonal commitment to a national import ban for hunting trophies
  The canton should actively advocate at the federal level for a national import ban on hunting trophies and prepare a cantonal initiative.
• Close animal welfare legal gap: equal treatment of wildlife in the Animal Welfare Act
  Wildlife killed in the context of recreational hunting should be subject to the same animal welfare standards as livestock in slaughterhouses.
• End recreational violence against animals: Recognize hobby hunting as a form of recreational violence
  The cantonal government should examine in a report whether hobby hunting is to be classified as recreational violence against animals and what consequences this would have for cantonal hunting policy.

5. Wolf, predators & politics

These motions are directed against wolf culls, demand herd protection and the integration of predators into cantonal forest policy. Studies, figures and legal classification in the Dossier: Wolf, predators & politics →

• Moratorium or ban on wolf hunting
  Wolf culls in Switzerland are based on the revised JSG (2023), which environmental organizations criticize as incompatible with international protection obligations (Bern Convention). The motion demands a cantonal moratorium until final legal review.
• Protect protection forests from hobby hunting and integrate predators
  The presence of wolves and other predators demonstrably reduces browsing pressure in protection forests (trophic cascade). The motion demands that protection forest zones be consistently exempted from hobby hunting.
• Herd protection instead of wolf culls: Dealing with wolves in the canton
  The motion demands that cantonal resources be used primarily for effective herd protection measures (livestock guardian dogs, fences, alpine accompaniment) instead of issuing culling permits.
• Independent evaluation of cantonal wolf culls and their ecological impacts
  All wolf culls carried out since the JSG revision in 2023 should be independently evaluated - regarding effectiveness, ecological consequences, costs and legal compliance.
• Compliance with international species protection standards for cantonal wolf culls
  All cantonal culling decisions concerning wolves should be in accordance with the Bern Convention. International law review, appeal rights and protection of the wolf as a strictly protected species.

6. Law, control & alternatives

These motions strengthen state control, demand transparency in hunting statistics and rely on independent supervision instead of self-control by hunters. Legal foundations in the Dossier: Law, control & alternatives →

• Animal welfare-compliant fence and grazing net requirements
  Fences and grazing nets cause numerous wildlife injuries and deaths annually. The motion demands binding cantonal standards for construction, marking and maintenance according to scientific standards.
• Transparent hunting statistics: Disclose kills, tracking and missed shots
  In Switzerland, missed shots (wounded, non-killed animals) are systematically not recorded. The motion demands complete, publicly accessible cantonal hunting statistics including tracking and loss rates.
• Hunting-free zones and pilot area following Geneva model
  As a first step, defined areas should be made hunting-free for five years to scientifically document the ecological and social effects of hunting abstinence.
• Withdrawal of environmental privileges for hunting associations
  Hunting associations recognized as nature conservation organizations should only retain their privileges if they can demonstrate verifiable nature conservation contributions.
• Independent hunting supervision: External control instead of self-control
  Control over the correct practice of hunting lies with the hunters themselves in most cantons. The motion demands a supervisory body financed by the canton and independent of the hunters.
• Strike 'cultural landscape' as justification for wildlife culls: Ecological factual arguments instead of myths
  The blanket reference to 'protection of the cultural landscape' as justification for culling permits should be struck and replaced by evidence-based, ecologically justified criteria.

7. Cantonal popular initiatives

In addition to parliamentary motions (motions, postulates), IG Wild beim Wild also provides template texts for cantonal popular initiatives. Popular initiatives enable the population to implement the abolition of hobby hunting directly at the ballot box - without the detour through parliament. Background information in the Dossier: Geneva and the hunting ban → and in the Dossier: Hunting ban Switzerland →

• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Basel-Stadt
  The practice of hunting by private persons (militia hunting, hobby hunting) is prohibited throughout the territory of Canton Basel-Stadt. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative for the complete abolition of hobby hunting following the model of Canton Geneva.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Basel-Landschaft
  The practice of hunting by private persons (district hunting, hobby hunting) is prohibited throughout the territory of Canton Basel-Landschaft. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative to abolish district hunting, with compensation clause for municipalities and professional wildlife management according to the Geneva model.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Schaffhausen
  At 298 km² almost identical to Geneva (282 km²), only 1,000 signatures needed and with Switzerland's only mandatory voting, Schaffhausen offers ideal conditions. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative to abolish district hunting according to the Geneva model.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Zug
  First patent hunting canton with template text: At 239 km² smaller than Geneva, only 230 hobby hunters for around 135,000 inhabitants and as Switzerland's wealthiest canton without cost argument. Professional wildlife protection instead of 'loud hunting' with running dogs.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden
  Switzerland's lowest signature threshold: Only 300 signatures needed. At 243 km² smaller than Geneva, patent hunting canton, rural campaign strategy with agricultural argument.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Neuchâtel
  As Geneva's neighboring canton, Neuchâtel has the most direct access to the proven Geneva model. Wolf policy in the Jura as current occasion, Dandliker as campaign partner, 4,500 signatures in 6 months.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Jura
  Second Romandie canton: Switzerland's youngest canton with progressive tradition, most important lynx area, wolf policy in the Jura as acute occasion. 2,000 signatures, patent hunting, Dandliker as campaign partner.
• Cantonal popular initiative - Canton Solothurn
  District hunting canton at the southern foot of the Jura: Lynx, beaver and wolf make professional wildlife protection a concrete necessity. 3,000 signatures, 18 months, municipal compensation, 1.10 to 2.20 francs per inhabitant.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Aargau
  Largest canton in the Central Plateau with the most favorable per capita costs in the series: under one franc per person per year. 3,000 signatures, 200 hunting districts, district hunting, most important beaver canton in Switzerland.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Thurgau
  Lake Constance canton: The abolition of recreational hunting at Lake Geneva has multiplied waterfowl from several hundred to 30,000. Lake Constance has the same potential. 4,000 signatures, 6 months collection period, district hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Lucerne
  Largest district hunting canton in Central Switzerland: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch, wolf at Pilatus, per capita costs below Geneva level. 4,000 signatures, district hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Zurich
  New attempt after 2018: Positive title, transparent cost calculation (0.25 to 0.45 francs per inhabitant), species protection paragraph, municipal compensation. Lowest per capita costs of all cantons. 6,000 signatures, 6 months, district hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Bern
  Largest patent hunting canton in Switzerland, bilingual, federal capital effect. Wolf policy in the Oberland as mobilization theme. 15,000 signatures, 6 months, per capita costs below Geneva level.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Fribourg
  Bilingual bridge canton between French-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking Switzerland. Neighbor of Geneva, modern constitution (2004), Fribourg pre-Alps as wildlife area. 6,000 signatures, patent hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton St. Gallen
  Largest Eastern Swiss canton: Alpstein, wolf policy in Sarganserland, Lake Constance as waterfowl area. 4,000 signatures, district hunting, per capita costs below Geneva level.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Schwyz
  Central Switzerland test case: Ausserschwyz as urban base, wolf in Muotathal, modern constitution (2010). 2,000 signatures, patent hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Uri
  Gotthard canton: Wolf policy as mobilization theme, highest ibex density in Central Switzerland. 600 signatures (second lowest hurdle), patent hunting. In absolute figures below Geneva budget.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Obwalden
  Pilatus canton: Wolf as mobilization theme, 500 signatures, patent hunting. In absolute figures below Geneva budget.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Nidwalden
  Almost the same size as Geneva (276 vs. 282 km²): The direct area comparison is communicatively strong. 250 signatures, patent hunting. In absolute figures a fraction of the Geneva budget.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Vaud
  Strategically most important French-speaking canton: Direct neighbor of Geneva, largest French-speaking canton, controversial wolf cullings as mobilization opportunity. 12,000 signatures, patent hunting, per capita costs below Geneva level.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Valais
  Epicenter of wolf policy: Politically most difficult canton, but greatest media impact. Bilingual, neighbor of Geneva. 4,000 signatures, patent hunting, largest Alpine canton.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Graubünden
  Largest canton in Switzerland: Swiss National Park has proven natural regulation for 100 years. Trilingual, strongest hunting tradition, wolf policy. 4,000 signatures, patent hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Ticino
  Only Italian-speaking canton: Opens the third language region for the movement. Wolf in Sopraceneri, urban base in Sottoceneri. 7,000 signatures, patent hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Glarus
  Landsgemeinde canton: No signature collection necessary, memorial motion suffices. Open voting, wolf in Glarnerland, ibex at Tödi. Patent hunting.
• Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden
  Smallest canton in Switzerland, Landsgemeinde canton: No signature collection necessary. Smaller than Geneva (173 vs. 282 km²), Alpstein as wildlife area. In absolute figures the lowest costs of all cantons.
  

8. Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»

In addition to cantonal proposals, a template for a federal popular initiative is now also available. It transfers the Geneva model of professional wildlife management to all of Switzerland, anchors a ban on recreational hunting in the federal constitution and strengthens protection of endangered species such as wolf, lynx, bear and beaver.

The initiative text is available as an elaborated constitutional draft (Art. 79a/79b Federal Constitution) and can be adopted and further developed politically by parties, organizations and private individuals. The complete proposal with explanations, cost estimate and strategy memo is available here: Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»

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The collection is continuously expanded. Last updated: March 2026.