Cantonal popular initiative – Canton Neuchâtel

«Pour une gestion professionnelle de la faune sauvage»

Cantonal popular initiative in the form of a drafted project / Constitutional initiative in the form of an elaborated draft

Based on articles 39 and following of the Constitution of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel of September 24, 2000 and on the law on political rights (LDP)

Submitted by the initiative committee [date of submission] / Submitted by the initiative committee [date of submission]

Note: The following sample text is written in German, as wildbeimwild.com is a German-language platform. For submission in Canton Neuchâtel, the initiative text must be in French. Translation into French must be ensured by a legal expert before submission.

Initiative text

The undersigned, persons entitled to vote in Canton Neuchâtel, submit the following constitutional initiative:

The Constitution of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel of September 24, 2000 is supplemented by the following articles:

Art. [new] Professional wildlife protection / Gestion professionnelle de la faune sauvage

1 The practice of hunting by private persons (licensed hunting, recreational hunting) is prohibited throughout the entire territory of Canton Neuchâtel.

2 The protection, care and, where necessary, regulation of wild animals is the exclusive responsibility of professionally trained wildlife managers in the service of the canton.

3 The shooting of wild animals is only permitted as a last resort when all other suitable measures for damage prevention or hazard control have been exhausted or are insufficient. It requires prior approval from the wildlife commission.

4 The canton establishes an independent wildlife commission composed of representatives from animal and nature conservation organizations, the scientific community, and relevant authorities. The commission supervises wildlife management and decides on regulatory measures.

5 The canton promotes the natural regulation of wildlife populations, the connectivity of habitats, and the coexistence of humans and wildlife.

6 Details are regulated by law.

Art. [new] Protection of threatened and protected wildlife species / Protection des espèces menacées

1 The canton refrains from submitting applications for preventive population regulation of protected wildlife species under the Federal Act on Hunting and the Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds, particularly wolf, lynx, bear, beaver, otter, golden jackal, golden eagle, goosander, and other species protected under federal law.

2 It focuses on promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife, passive damage prevention, ecological enhancement of habitats, and scientific monitoring of wildlife presence.

3 Measures against individual wild animals that pose an immediate and significant threat to humans remain reserved. They must be limited to the minimum necessary and carried out by the canton's competent specialist authority.

4 The canton actively advocates for the protection and conservation of threatened wildlife species within the framework of intercantonal cooperation and vis-à-vis the federal government.

Transitional provision / Disposition transitoire

1 The State Council shall issue the necessary implementing provisions within two years of the adoption of this constitutional amendment.

2 Existing hunting licenses expire with the entry into force of the implementing provisions. License fees already paid for the current hunting season will be refunded proportionally.

3 The State Council ensures continuity of wildlife management during the transitional phase.

Explanations

1. Initial situation

The canton of Neuchâtel covers 803 km² and approximately 175,000 inhabitants. It extends from the shores of Lake Neuchâtel through the wine-growing regions on the southern slopes of the Jura to the ridges of Val-de-Travers and the Freiberge. The canton is divided into two parts: an urban strip along the lake (Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle) and a rural, forested hinterland in the Jura.

Recreational hunting in Neuchâtel is organized as patent hunting. Private individuals obtain a cantonal license and hunt without fixed territorial responsibility. The patent system generates no professional added value compared to professional wildlife management (cf. the Psychology of recreational hunting in the canton of Neuchâtel as well as the critical analysis of hunting education on wildbeimwild.com).

The claim that ecological balance would collapse without recreational hunting has been empirically refuted by the Geneva model for over 50 years (cf. the comprehensive dossier on the Geneva hunting ban on wildbeimwild.com). As a neighboring canton of Geneva, Neuchâtel has the unique opportunity to observe the Geneva model from immediate proximity. The experiences are known, the results are verifiable, the specialists are accessible. No other German-speaking or French-speaking canton has such direct access to the Geneva reference model as Neuchâtel.

Parallel to this, an increasing number of protected wildlife species are coming under pressure at the federal level. Wolf regulation in the Vaud and Neuchâtel Jura directly affects the canton: the Marchairuz and Risoux packs operate in the border area. In Canton Vaud, an illegally shot wolf was found in 2024. The shooting of the pack leaders in the Vaud Jura by authorities was documented as unlawful by Groupe Loup Suisse. Political pressure on other species such as lynx, beaver, otter and goosander is steadily increasing (see the analysis of hunting politics on wildbeimwild.com).

2. The Model: Canton Geneva

On May 19, 1974, around two-thirds of voters in Canton Geneva voted to abolish militia recreational hunting. Neuchâtel and Geneva belong to the same linguistic region. The Geneva experience is culturally and linguistically directly accessible to the Neuchâtel population. The experiences since the hobby hunting ban are unequivocal:

– Biodiversity has increased markedly. The number of overwintering waterfowl has multiplied from a few hundred to around 30,000. Geneva today hosts Switzerland's largest brown hare population and one of the last partridge populations. Before the 1974 vote, the hobby hunting lobby claimed that brown hares would be wiped out by predators without hobby hunting. The opposite occurred.

– The roe deer population has stabilized at a healthy level, with annual specialized culling by professional wildlife wardens of only 20 to 36 animals.

– In 2005, 90 percent of Geneva voters supported maintaining the hobby hunting ban. Total costs amount to around 1.2 million francs annually, or roughly 2.40 francs per resident.

A detailed presentation can be found in the dossier 'Geneva and the Hunting Ban' on wildbeimwild.com.

3. The Concept: Professional Wildlife Management Instead of Hobby Hunting

The initiative replaces hobby hunting with professional wildlife management following the wildlife warden model:

Professional expertise instead of recreational entertainment. Professional wildlife managers act on scientific foundations, within the framework of a cantonal service mandate.

Last resort principle. Culling is only permitted when all non-lethal measures have been exhausted.

Democratic oversight through a wildlife commission. The independent commission prevents political pressure from watering down wildlife management.

Natural self-regulation as guiding principle. Experience from Geneva, from national parks and from numerous scientific studies demonstrates: wildlife populations regulate themselves autonomously in most cases.

4. Why Neuchâtel?

Neuchâtel is particularly suited for introducing professional wildlife protection for several reasons:

Cultural proximity to Geneva. As a French-speaking canton of Romandy, Neuchâtel has direct cultural and linguistic access to the Geneva model. The Geneva experience can be communicated directly, without translation barriers. Geneva specialists, including fauna inspector Gottlieb Dandliker, can appear directly in campaign events and media discussions. This cultural proximity is a strategic advantage that no German-speaking canton possesses. The efficiency of the Geneva model shows in direct comparison: a professional wildlife warden in Geneva needs an average of 8 hours and maximum 2 cartridges for a sanitary culling of a wild boar. A hobby hunter in Canton Zurich needs 60 to 80 hours and up to 15 cartridges for the same task. Brown hare density in Geneva is 17.7 animals per 100 hectares (highest in Switzerland), in Canton Zurich only 1.0 per 100 hectares (see fact-check Canton Zurich government).

Wolf politics as current catalyst. The wolf packs in the Neuchâtel and Vaud Jura make the second paragraph (protection of protected species) particularly relevant. The illegal shootings of alpha animals in the Vaud Jura and the poaching demonstrate how urgently a constitutional protection mechanism is needed. Neuchâtel can set a counter-signal here (cf. the analysis of wolf policy on wildbeimwild.com).

Patent hunting = simple system change. As in Zug and Appenzell Ausserrhoden, no hunting lease contracts need to be terminated and no municipalities need to be compensated. The patents expire when the implementing regulations come into force.

Jura as ecological hotspot. The Neuchâtel Jura is one of the most important wildlife areas in Western Switzerland. Lynx, wolf, beaver and rich birdlife are present in the canton. Professional wildlife management is not an abstraction here, but a concrete necessity for preserving biodiversity.

Observe collection deadline. The collection deadline for popular initiatives in Neuchâtel is 6 months. With 4,500 required signatures, that's around 25 signatures per day. In a canton with 175,000 inhabitants, this is challenging but feasible, especially in the urban centers of Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds.

5. On the initiative text

The initiative text corresponds to the patent hunting variant. Cantonal competence is undisputed: the federal hunting law (JSG) expressly leaves the organization of hunting operations to the cantons (Art. 3 Para. 1 JSG). The three hunting systems – patent hunting, territory hunting and state hunting – are equivalent. The canton of Geneva has practiced state hunting since 1974 in compliance with federal law.

The second paragraph on the protection of protected species is particularly relevant for Neuchâtel due to the wolf presence in the Jura. The 'in particular' formulation ensures that protection also covers species protected under federal law in the future, without requiring a constitutional amendment.

Important: For actual submission, the initiative text must be available in French. The terminology of Geneva law (Art. 162 of the Geneva cantonal constitution: 'La chasse aux mammifères et aux oiseaux est interdite. Les mesures officielles de régulation de la faune sont réservées.') provides the linguistic template for the Neuchâtel formulation.

6. Cost implications: Concrete budget for Neuchâtel

For Neuchâtel with 803 km² area and around 175,000 inhabitants, the following cost estimate results:

Personnel costs: 360,000 to 560,000 francs annually. 3 to 4 full-time positions are required. Neuchâtel is almost three times as large as Geneva (282 km²) with 803 km², but has topographically more challenging terrain with the Jura. A full-time position in cantonal service costs around 120,000 to 140,000 francs annually including ancillary costs.

Material costs: 80,000 to 120,000 francs annually. Equipment, vehicles, deterrent devices, monitoring infrastructure, electric fences, public relations work.

Damage compensation: 50,000 to 100,000 francs annually. Mainly wild boar damage in agriculture and browsing damage in forests.

Total costs: 490,000 to 780,000 francs annually (gross). This corresponds to around 2.80 to 4.45 francs per inhabitant per year.

Lost revenues

With the abolition of recreational hunting, patent fees of an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 francs annually would be eliminated. However, this is offset by the never-accounted external costs of militia hunting – wildlife accidents, hunting-related browsing damage in protection forests, administrative overhead, police and court interventions – which amount to many times these revenues. In the canton of Geneva, these revenues have been foregone since 1974 – without financial problems: Before the hunting ban, over 400 hobby hunters were active; today three full-time positions do the same work better. Sanitary and therapeutic culling by professional wildlife wardens is not the same as regulatory hunting based on hunters' folklore or misunderstood 'nature experience' of hobby hunters. A full-cost calculation shows: Militia hunting costs taxpayers significantly more than it brings in (cf. 'What recreational hunting really costs Switzerland' on wildbeimwild.com).

Hobby hunters in politics vote against nature conservation. The recreational hunting lobby systematically opposes biodiversity and species protection concerns. In 2024, it opposed the biodiversity initiative (63 percent no). In 2020, the hunting law it helped shape failed at the ballot box (51.9 percent no). In 2016, the Ticino hunting association torpedoed the Parc Adula National Park. In the legislative period 2015 to 2019, hobby hunters in parliament voted predominantly against environmental concerns. Anyone claiming that hobby hunters are conservationists ignores their voting behavior (cf. Ticino Hunting Association: 30 Years of Nonsense and Cost Dossier).

This is offset by savings: No hunting examinations, no patent administration, no shooting planning, no hunting supervision. The net additional costs are likely to be 250,000 to 500,000 francs annually, corresponding to approximately 1.45 to 2.85 francs per inhabitant.

7. Compatibility with superior law

The initiative complies with federal law. Art. 3 Para. 1 JSG, the three equivalent hunting systems, over 50 years of unchallenged practice in Geneva. Art. 7a JSG enables cantons to implement preventive regulation but does not oblige them to do so. The initiative maintains the unity of the subject matter.

8. Anticipation of foreseeable objections

'Neuchâtel is three times larger than Geneva – the model cannot be transferred'

The facts: The larger area requires more specialists (3–4 instead of 2–3 full-time positions), but changes nothing about the basic principle. In Geneva, approximately 3 full-time positions cover 282 km², while in Neuchâtel it would be around 3–4 for 803 km². The ratio is proportional, and costs remain manageable. The Jura is topographically more challenging but also less densely populated, which simplifies wildlife management.

Communication shorthand: 'More area needs more specialists. But the principle works: Geneva has proven it for 50 years.'

'The wolf is a real problem in the Neuchâtel Jura'

The facts: The initiative creates exactly the structures needed for professional wolf management: professionally trained wildlife managers who act on a scientific basis, and an independent wildlife commission that decides on regulatory measures. In Geneva, where wolf presence is also documented, this system works. The alternative – hobby hunters with firearms – has led to poaching and illegal shootings in the neighboring canton of Vaud. Professional management is the answer to the wolf, not recreational hunting (cf. the Psychology of recreational hunting in the canton of Neuchâtel).

Communication shorthand: 'The wolf needs specialists, not hobby hunters. Geneva shows the way. In the Vaud Jura, recreational hunting has led to poaching.'

'The collection period is too short for 4,500 signatures'

The facts: 4,500 signatures in 6 months requires around 25 signatures per day. Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds combined have approximately 70,000 inhabitants. The urban concentration significantly facilitates collection. With professional organization and support from animal and nature protection organizations, this hurdle is achievable.

Communicative short formula: «25 signatures per day. In two cities with 70,000 inhabitants. Achievable.»

9. Summary

This initiative gives the Neuchâtel population the opportunity to support modern, evidence-based wildlife management. As Geneva's neighboring canton, Neuchâtel has the most direct access to the proven Geneva model. Success would be the second French-speaking Swiss example of professional wildlife protection and would have a signal effect for the entire Romandie and beyond. The species protection paragraph is particularly relevant given the wolf policy in the Neuchâtel Jura.

Initiative Committee «For Professional Wildlife Protection» / Comité d'initiative «Pour une gestion professionnelle de la faune sauvage»

[Name 1], [Name 2], [Name 3] …

(Committee members according to cantonal law, with residence in the canton)

Contact address: [Committee address]

Appendix: Further Documentation

Geneva Model in Detail: wildbeimwild.com/dossiers/genf-und-das-jagdverbot – Comprehensive presentation of Geneva wildlife management since 1974.

Scientific Studies: wildbeimwild.com/studien-ueber-die-auswirkung-der-jagd-auf-wildtiere-und-jaeger – Collection of scientific studies on self-regulation of wildlife populations.

Hunting in Switzerland: wildbeimwild.com/warum-die-hobby-jagd-in-der-schweiz-kein-naturschutz-ist – Continuously updated overview of Swiss hunting policy.

Psychology of Recreational Hunting in Canton Neuchâtel: wildbeimwild.com – Psychologie der Hobby-Jagd im Kanton NE

Psychology of Recreational Hunting: wildbeimwild.com/category/psychologie-jagd – Analyses of motives, justifications and social dynamics of recreational hunting.

Wolf Dossier: wildbeimwild.com/dossiers/wolf-in-der-schweiz-fakten-politik-und-die-grenzen-der-jagd – Current developments on wolf policy in Switzerland.

Wildlife and Predators: wildbeimwild.com/category/wildtiere – Information on wildlife, predators and coexistence of humans and wildlife.

Hunting Myths: wildbeimwild.com/dossiers/jagdmythen – Fact-check of the most common claims by the recreational hunting lobby.

Cantonal Popular Initiative Basel-Stadt: Model text of the initiative in Canton Basel-Stadt.

Procedural Note

The initiative committee submits the initiative text in French to the State Chancellery of Canton Neuchâtel for preliminary review before beginning signature collection. 4,500 valid signatures are required for the initiative to be valid. The collection period is 6 months from publication in the Feuille officielle. Submission procedures follow cantonal legislation on political rights (LDP).

Strategic Briefing for Activists

Popular Initiative «For Professional Wildlife Protection» – Canton Neuchâtel Internal Working Document – Status March 2026

Summary

Neuchâtel is the strategically most important Romandie canton for an initiative following the Geneva model. Cultural and linguistic proximity to Geneva enables direct campaign transfer. Wolf policy in the Jura provides the current occasion. Success would be the second French-speaking Swiss hunting ban and a signal for the entire Romandie.

1. Why Neuchâtel?

Neighboring canton of Geneva. The Geneva experience is linguistically and culturally directly accessible in Neuchâtel. Geneva experts can appear directly in campaign events.

Wolf policy as mobilization theme. The wolf packs in the Neuchâtel Jura and the illegal killings in neighboring Canton Vaud make the species protection paragraph a current issue.

Patent hunting = simple system change. No lease contracts, no municipal compensation.

Jura as an ecological hotspot. Lynx, wolf, beaver and a rich birdlife make professional wildlife management a concrete necessity.

2. Special opportunities

Gottlieb Dandliker as campaign partner. The Geneva fauna inspector speaks French and can report directly on the Geneva experience in Neuchâtel media and events. No other canton has such access to a living reference person of the Geneva model.

Geneva media as allies. The Romandy media (RTS, Le Temps, Tribune de Genève) have repeatedly portrayed the Geneva model positively. A Neuchâtel initiative would generate media attention throughout the entire Romandy.

Contrast to the Vaud model. While in the neighboring canton of Vaud, pack leaders of wolf packs are illegally shot and poachers are not caught, Neuchâtel could take the opposite path: constitutional protection instead of shooting on demand (cf. the Psychology of recreational hunting in the canton of Neuchâtel).

3. Communication strategy: The three core messages

«Genève le fait depuis 50 ans. Neuchâtel peut faire de même.» The strongest message, because it is formulated in the mother tongue of the canton and identifies a functioning reference model from the same language region.

«Professionnel, pas amateur.» Professionals instead of hobby hunters. Simple and memorable.

«Le loup mérite des professionnels, pas des braconniers.» The wolf deserves professionals, not poachers. This message connects the species protection paragraph with the current debate.

4. Timeline

Phase	Content	Timeframe
Committee formation & text pre-review	Engage lawyer; translation into French; committee members with NE residence	Month 1–4
Submission for pre-review	State Chancellery Neuchâtel (Chancellerie d'État)	Month 4–5
Publication & collection start	6-month deadline; goal: 5,500+ signatures as buffer	Month 5
Party contacts & coalition building	PS, Verts, PVL; activate Geneva contacts; nature conservation organizations	Month 1–10
Submission of signatures	State Chancellery, official verification	Month 11–13
Grand-Conseil debate	Parliamentary anchoring; media work	Month 14–22
Referendum campaign	Final mobilization with Geneva support	Month 22–28

5. Campaign material

The Geneva Dossier as central argument compilation, supplemented by French-language materials.
The Psychology of recreational hunting in the canton of Neuchâtel as background material.
Gottlieb Dandliker (Geneva fauna inspector) as reference person for media appearances.
Local media: ArcInfo, Le Courrier, RTS (Région), Canal Alpha.
Wolf dossier with focus on wolf policy in the Neuchâtel and Vaud Jura.

6. Further sources

This document is a template text by IG Wild beim Wild. It can be freely used by activists, organizations or initiative committees and adapted to the conditions in the canton of Neuchâtel.

Fact-check: The claims of the recreational hunting lobby

The brochure «Die Jagd in der Schweiz schützt und nützt» by JagdSchweiz reads like an advertising prospectus – but the central claims do not withstand a fact-check. Ten narratives under scrutiny, from «state duty» via «biodiversity» to «80% approval»: Dossier: Fact-check JagdSchweiz brochure →