Cantonal people's initiative – Canton Obwalden

«For professional wildlife protection»

Constitutional initiative in the form of an elaborated draft

Based on Art. 59 of the Cantonal Constitution of Obwalden of May 19, 1968 and on the Voting Act

Submitted by the initiative committee [date of submission]

Initiative text

The undersigned persons entitled to vote in the Canton of Obwalden submit the following constitutional initiative:

The Cantonal Constitution of Obwalden of May 19, 1968 is supplemented by the following articles:

Art. [new] Professional wildlife protection

1 The exercise of hunting by private persons (licensed hunting, hobby hunting) is prohibited throughout the entire territory of the Canton of Obwalden.

2 The protection, care and, where necessary, regulation of wild animals shall be 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 prevention 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 protection organizations, science, and the relevant authorities. The commission supervises wildlife management and decides on regulatory measures.

5 The Canton promotes the natural regulation of wildlife populations, the networking of habitats, and the coexistence of humans and wildlife.

6 The details are regulated by law.

Art. [new] Protection of endangered and protected wildlife species

1 The Canton refrains from 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 and carried out by the competent specialized agency of the Canton.

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

Transitional provision

1 The government council shall issue the necessary implementation regulations within two years of the adoption of this constitutional amendment.

2 Existing hunting licenses shall expire upon the entry into force of the implementation regulations. Already paid license fees for the current hunting season shall be refunded proportionally.

3 The government council shall ensure the continuity of wildlife management during the transition phase.

Explanations

1. Initial Situation

In the Canton of Obwalden, a small Central Swiss canton with around 38,000 inhabitants across 491 km² of area, the current recreational hunting system serves neither species protection nor contemporary wildlife management. It is the practice of a bloody recreational pastime at the expense of sentient beings, legitimized through outdated narratives that do not withstand scientific scrutiny. The claim that without recreational hunting, ecological balance would collapse has been empirically refuted by the Geneva model for over 50 years (cf. the comprehensive Dossier on the Geneva Hunting Ban on wildbeimwild.com).

Recreational hunting is organized in Obwalden as a license hunting system. Private individuals obtain a cantonal license and hunt without fixed district responsibility. Contrary to widespread claims, license holders do not assume ecological responsibility, but rather act within the framework of cantonal shooting plans (cf. the Psychology of Recreational Hunting in the Canton of Obwalden as well as the critical analysis of hunting education on wildbeimwild.com).

In parallel, more and more protected wildlife species are coming under pressure at the federal level. With the revision of the Hunting Act in December 2022, the preventive regulation of wolves was introduced. Since February 2025, beavers may be shot upon cantonal request. The Canton of Obwalden is affected by the wolf's return: The wolf on Pilatus made national headlines in 2023/2024. The lynx is native to the canton. The golden eagle breeds in the Obwalden Alps. The Engelberg Valley and the north side of Pilatus are habitats of supra-regional ecological significance (cf. the Analysis of hunting politics on wildbeimwild.com and the Wolf politics on wildbeimwild.com).

The Canton of Obwalden has the opportunity to set a clear signal here: not only for professional wildlife protection instead of recreational hunting, but also for the consistent protection of endangered wildlife species at the cantonal level.

2. The Model: Canton of Geneva

On May 19, 1974, around two-thirds of voters in the Canton of Geneva voted for the abolition of militia recreational hunting. Before the ban, large game in the canton was practically extinct: deer and wild boar had disappeared for decades, and only a few dozen roe deer remained alive. Around 300 hobby hunters massively released pheasants, partridges and hares for recreational hunting.

The experiences since the recreational hunting ban are clear:

– Biodiversity has increased markedly. The number of wintering waterfowl has multiplied from a few hundred to around 30,000. Geneva today hosts the largest brown hare population and one of the last partridge populations in Switzerland.

– The roe deer population has stabilized at a healthy level, with an annual special cull by professional game wardens of only 20 to 36 animals.

– In 2005, 90 percent of Geneva's electorate voted in a renewed referendum to maintain the recreational hunting ban. In 2009, a motion to reintroduce hunting was rejected in the cantonal parliament by 70 to 7 votes.

– The total costs of professional wildlife management in Geneva amount to around 1.2 million francs annually, divided into around 600,000 francs for personnel (approximately three full-time positions, distributed among around a dozen environmental officers), 250,000 francs for prevention and 350,000 francs for damage compensation. This corresponds to around 2.40 francs per resident per year.

Geneva's fauna inspector Gottlieb Dandliker, responsible for wildlife management since 2001, describes the recreational hunting ban as the most financially advantageous alternative for the canton. A detailed presentation can be found in the Dossier «Geneva and the Hunting Ban» on wildbeimwild.com. The efficiency of the Geneva model is evident in direct comparison: A professional game warden in Geneva needs an average of 8 hours and a maximum of 2 cartridges for a sanitary cull of a wild boar. A hobby hunter in the Canton of Zurich needs 60 to 80 hours and up to 15 cartridges for the same task. The brown hare density in Geneva is 17.7 animals per 100 hectares (highest in Switzerland), in the Canton of Zurich only 1.0 per 100 hectares (cf. Fact Check Zurich Government Council).

3. The Concept: Professional Game Management Instead of Recreational Hunting

The initiative does not replace recreational hunting with a vacuum, but with professional wildlife management based on the ranger model. This model is based on the following principles:

Professional expertise instead of recreational pleasure. Professional wildlife managers act on a scientific basis (cf. the critical analysis of hunting training on wildbeimwild.com).

Ultima ratio principle. Culling is only permissible when all non-lethal measures have been exhausted.

Democratic control through a wildlife commission. The independent commission prevents political pressure from diluting wildlife management.

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

4. Why Obwalden?

The canton of Obwalden is suitable for introducing professional wildlife protection for several reasons:

Wolf at Pilatus. The wolf at Pilatus made national headlines in 2023/2024 and polarized the debate throughout Central Switzerland. Pilatus lies on the border between Obwalden, Lucerne and Nidwalden. The initiative offers a constitutional response: professional wildlife management instead of politically motivated culling (cf. the wolf policy on wildbeimwild.com).

Engelberg Valley: Unique habitat. The Engelberg Valley is one of the most scenically impressive valleys in Central Switzerland and habitat for ibex, chamois, golden eagle and lynx. Professional wildlife management would protect this unique habitat more consistently than recreational hunting (cf. wildbeimwild.com on national parks and protected areas).

Protection forest at Brünig and in the Obwalden Alps. Obwalden has a high proportion of protection forest. The wolf naturally regulates deer populations and reduces browsing pressure in protection forests – ecologically and economically significant.

500 signatures. With 38,000 inhabitants, 500 signatures represent around 2.6 percent of the population. Signatures can be collected in Sarnen, Kerns, Alpnach, Sachseln and Engelberg (cf. wildbeimwild.com on wildlife in residential areas).

Tourism canton. Engelberg and Pilatus are tourism destinations of national importance. Professional wildlife protection and coexistence with predators are an argument for sustainable tourism.

Patent hunting = simple system change. No lease agreements, no municipal compensation. Existing licenses expire and already paid fees are refunded proportionally.

Size comparison with Geneva. Obwalden with 491 km² has a similar area to Geneva (282 km²). The differences lie in topography (alpine vs. flat) and population (38,000 vs. 500,000). However: Lower population density means fewer conflict zones.

5. On the initiative text

Paragraph 1 – Ban on recreational hunting

The ban on licensed hunting by private individuals corresponds to the Geneva model. Cantonal competence is undisputed: Art. 3 Para. 1 JSG. The three hunting systems are equivalent. Geneva has been compliant with federal law since 1974.

Paragraph 2 – Professional wildlife management

Instead of hobby hunters, professionally trained wildlife managers in cantonal service take over all tasks. In Geneva, this system has proven successful for over 50 years.

Paragraph 3 – Culling as ultima ratio

Culling is the exception, not the rule. Passive measures take priority.

Paragraph 4 – Wildlife commission

The independent wildlife commission is modeled on Geneva. It prevents the government council from independently approving exceptions (cf. wildbeimwild.com/jagd-fakten).

Paragraph 5 – Natural regulation and coexistence

Promoting coexistence in Obwalden includes in particular protecting the Engelberg valley, securing protective forests, and educating the population and tourists (cf. wildbeimwild.com on wildlife in residential areas).

Transitional provisions

The two-year deadline gives the government council sufficient time. The existing Office for Forests and Landscape can serve as an institutional basis.

6. On the second article: Protection of threatened and protected wildlife species

The second article is particularly relevant for Obwalden. The wolf at Pilatus showed how quickly political pressure leads to culling demands. The lynx is native to the canton. The golden eagle breeds in the Obwalden Alps. The 'in particular' formulation also protects future returnees, especially the bear (cf. the wolf policy on wildbeimwild.com).

7. Cost implications: Concrete budget for Obwalden

The Geneva reference budget

In Geneva, total costs amount to around 1.2 million francs annually: around 600,000 francs for personnel, around 250,000 francs for prevention, and around 350,000 francs for damage compensation.

Conservative Estimate for Obwalden

For Obwalden with 491 km² area and around 38,000 inhabitants, the following deliberately conservative cost estimate results:

Personnel costs: 360,000 to 560,000 francs annually. 3 to 4 full-time positions are required. Obwalden is nearly twice the size of Geneva and topographically challenging: Engelberg valley, north side of Pilatus, extensive alpine agriculture.

Material costs: 70,000 to 120,000 francs annually.

Damage compensation: 40,000 to 90,000 francs annually.

Herd protection startup investment: 300,000 to 500,000 francs. One-time investment in herd protection infrastructure for the Engelberg valley and Pilatus region over three to five years.

Total costs: 470,000 to 770,000 francs annually (gross).

Savings and Counter-financing

These costs are offset by savings: No hunting examinations, no license administration, no shooting plans, no hunting supervision. A single senseless killing of a wolf costs the public around 35,000 francs. The compensatory reproduction – the artificially increased reproduction rate due to hunting pressure – declines within a few years after the system change.

Lost Revenue

With the abolition of hobby hunting, license fees of an estimated 200,000 to 350,000 francs annually are eliminated. However, this is offset by the never-accounted external costs of militia hunting – wildlife accidents, hunting-related browsing damage in protection forests, administrative burden, police and court interventions – which amount to many times this revenue. In Canton Geneva, this revenue has 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 game wardens is not the same as regulatory hunting based on hunters' folklore or misunderstood 'nature experience' of hobby hunters. A full cost accounting shows: Militia hunting costs taxpayers significantly more than it brings in (cf. 'What hobby hunting really costs Switzerland' on wildbeimwild.com).

Hobby hunters in politics vote against nature conservation. The hobby hunting lobby systematically opposes biodiversity and species protection initiatives. 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 hunters' association torpedoed the Parc Adula National Park. During 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 record (cf. Ticino Hunters' Association: 30 Years of Nonsense and Cost Dossier).

The net additional costs are likely to be 250,000 to 500,000 francs annually. In absolute terms, the costs are modest: 250,000 to 500,000 francs for a canton with a total budget of around 390 million francs (State Accounts 2024, FFA). This represents less than 0.15 percent of the cantonal budget (cf. Hunting Myths Fact-Check on wildbeimwild.com).

8. Compatibility with higher-level law

First article: Abolition of hobby hunting

Complies with federal law. Art. 3 Para. 1 JSG. Three equivalent hunting systems. Geneva since 1974 without objection.

Second article: Protection of protected species

Art. 7a JSG enables preventive regulation but does not mandate it. Refraining from it violates neither federal law nor the Bern Convention.

Unity of subject matter

Maintained, as all provisions relate to cantonal wildlife management and the protection of wild animals.

9. Anticipation of foreseeable objections

«Obwalden is too small and too alpine»

The facts: Obwalden, with 491 km², has a similar area to Geneva (282 km²), but is less densely populated. This means: fewer conflict zones. The costs of 250,000 to 500,000 francs are absolutely modest. The Engelberg Valley and the Pilatus region deserve professional protection (cf. the Psychology of Hobby Hunting in Canton Obwalden).

Communicative short formula: «Obwalden is half the size of Geneva. Less densely populated, fewer conflicts. 250,000 to 500,000 francs. Modest.»

«The wolf on Pilatus shows we must shoot»

The facts: The wolf on Pilatus shows the opposite: It demonstrates how quickly political pressure leads to reflexive demands for culling. Professional wildlife management would have scientifically monitored the wolf and professionally protected livestock herds. The wolf regulates the deer population and reduces browsing pressure in protection forests.

Communicative short formula: «The wolf at Pilatus needs professional management, not reflexive shootings.»

«The costs are too high for a small canton»

The facts: Even generously calculated: 250,000 to 500,000 francs. 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the cantonal budget. A fraction of what the canton spends on road maintenance.

Communicative short formula: «250,000 to 500,000 francs. 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the cantonal budget. Modest.»

10. Summary

This initiative gives the Obwalden population the opportunity to advocate for modern, evidence-based wildlife management and comprehensive protection of endangered wildlife species. The first article follows the Geneva model that has proven successful for over 50 years. The second article particularly protects the wolf at Pilatus, the lynx in the Engelberg valley, and the golden eagle in the Obwalden Alps. The similar area to Geneva, the sparse settlement, and the modest absolute costs make Obwalden a suitable canton for the system change.

Initiative Committee «For Professional Wildlife Protection»

[Name 1], [Name 2], [Name 3] …

(Committee members according to cantonal law, with residence in Canton Obwalden)

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 – Collection of scientific studies on self-regulation.

Hunting in Switzerland: wildbeimwild.com/jagd-in-der-schweiz – Continuously updated overview.

Psychology of recreational hunting in Canton Obwalden: wildbeimwild.com – Psychology of recreational hunting in Canton OW

Psychology of recreational hunting: wildbeimwild.com/category/psychologie-jagd

Wolf dossier: wildbeimwild.com/category/wolf

Predators: wildbeimwild.com/category/raubtiere

National parks and protected areas: wildbeimwild.com/category/nationalpark

Wildlife in residential areas: wildbeimwild.com/category/wildtiere-im-siedlungsgebiet

Hunting myths: wildbeimwild.com/dossiers/jagdmythen

Cantonal popular initiative Basel-Stadt: Template text of the initiative in Canton Basel-Stadt

Note on procedure

The initiative committee submits the initiative text to the State Chancellery of the Canton of Obwalden for preliminary review before beginning the signature collection. 500 valid signatures are required for the initiative to come into effect. The submission procedures are governed by the voting law.

Strategic Briefing for Activists

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

Summary

Obwalden is the Pilatus canton of the series. The wolf at Pilatus 2023/2024 polarized the debate throughout Central Switzerland. The Engelberg Valley is a unique habitat. 500 signatures among 38,000 residents is achievable. The absolute costs are modest at 250,000 to 500,000 francs. The similar area to Geneva (491 vs. 282 km²) makes the size comparison convincing.

1. Why Obwalden specifically?

Wolf at Pilatus. National headlines 2023/2024. Species protection paragraph is the direct response.

Engelberg Valley. Unique habitat. Ibex, chamois, golden eagle, lynx.

500 signatures among 38,000 residents. 2.6 percent. Achievable.

Similar area to Geneva. 491 km² vs. 282 km². Size comparison convincing.

Patent hunting = simple system change. No lease contracts.

Absolute costs modest. 250,000 to 500,000 francs.

2. The lessons from Zurich: What we do differently

Positive title. «For professional wildlife protection».

Wolf at Pilatus as mobilization theme. Emotional anchor.

Absolute costs instead of per capita. 150,000–350,000 francs is more convincing than per capita figures.

3. Opposition analysis and prepared responses

Counter-argument 1: «Obwalden is too small and too alpine»

Communication shorthand: «Obwalden is half the size of Geneva. Less densely populated, fewer conflicts.»

Counter-argument 2: «The wolf at Pilatus shows we must shoot»

Communication shorthand: «The wolf at Pilatus needs professional management, not reflexive shooting.»

Counter-argument 3: «The costs are too high»

Communication shorthand: «250,000 to 500,000 francs. 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the cantonal budget. Modest.»

4. Communication strategy: The three core messages

«The wolf at Pilatus needs professional management.» Emotional anchor for Obwalden.

«Geneva has been showing the way for 50 years.» 90 percent approval.

«Professional instead of hobby.» Specialists instead of recreational hunters.

5. Timeline and Next Steps

Phase	Content	Timeframe
Committee Formation & Text Pre-Review	Engage lawyer; committee members with OW residence	Month 1–3
Submission for Pre-Review	State Chancellery Obwalden	Month 3–4
Publication & Collection Start	Goal: 1,250+ signatures as buffer	Month 4
Party Contacts & Coalition Building	SP, Greens; Pro Natura; BirdLife; Engelberg Tourism as partners	Month 1–10
Submission of Signatures	State Chancellery, official verification	After collection period
Cantonal Council Debate	Parliamentary anchoring; media work	Following months
Referendum Campaign	Pilatus Wolf, Engelberg Valley, absolute costs	Before vote

6. Campaign Materials

The Geneva Dossier on wildbeimwild.com as central argumentation.
The Psychology of Hobby Hunting in Canton Obwalden as background material.
Local media: Obwaldner Zeitung, Obwaldner Volksfreund, Tele 1.
Infographic: Wolf at Pilatus as guiding motif. Engelberg Valley. Size comparison OW vs. GE. Absolute costs.

7. Additional 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 Canton Obwalden.

Fact-Check: The Claims of the Hobby Hunting Lobby

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