Sample text: Transparent hunting statistics in the canton

Hunting in the canton (………) is to become more transparent. Kills, searches, accidental kills, and collateral damage are to be systematically recorded annually and made available to the public in an understandable format.

1. Motion

The Government Council is instructed to submit to the Grand Council a proposal to amend the Law on Hunting and Wildlife Protection (…………) and the Hunting Ordinance (…………), thereby legally establishing comprehensive, publicly accessible hunting statistics in the Canton of (………). The legislative revision must, in particular, ensure:

• that the canton publishes a standardized hunting statistic annually, containing at least the following information:
  • Number of kills per game species, by sex and age class
  • Number of animals shot at but not immediately killed (tracking)
  • Number of misfires and shot but not recovered animals
  • Number of non-target species accidentally killed or injured (for example, protected species, domestic animals).
• that hunting statistics are broken down by hunting areas or regions, so that developments in the area can be tracked without disclosing personal data.
• that all hunters are obliged to report their kills, searches, misfires and collateral damage completely, truthfully and on time in a system specified by the canton.
• that the game wardens and other enforcement bodies check the reported data on a random basis and take appropriate investigations in case of discrepancies or suspected cases.
• that in the event of a breach of the reporting obligation or intentionally false statements, sanctions expressly provided for in hunting law and, where applicable, criminal law will apply.
• that the data collected by the canton is processed in such a way that it:
  • for parliament, authorities and experts to assess hunting practices and wildlife management
  • are accessible to the media and interested public without barriers, for example in the form of an annually updated online dashboard.
• that qualitative information will be included in an additional section of the report, namely:
  • special incidents related to hunting
  • documented conflicts with recreation seekers, farmers or animal welfare organizations
  • Relevant accidents involving property damage or personal injury in the context of hunting.
• that the Governing Council points out in its message:
  • which data are already being collected today and where gaps exist
  • which adjustments to processes, IT systems and responsibilities are necessary
  • what additional costs are to be expected and how these are to be financed.

The government council is taking data protection into account when drafting the proposal. Personal data of hunters must be protected. However, the public should be able to objectively understand the scope, quality, and impact of hunting practices in the canton of (…………).

2. Brief explanation

Hunting is a state-regulated intervention in the lives of wild animals and their natural habitats. It is legitimized by reasons such as preventing damage caused by wildlife, regulating populations, and preventing the spread of disease. Whether these goals are actually achieved and whether hunting practices comply with animal welfare standards can only be assessed if all relevant data are available completely and transparently.

Today, public information is often limited to rough figures on the number of animals killed, broken down by species. Important aspects such as tracking wounded game, accidental kills, injured and unrecovered animals, or non-target species hit are usually not systematically recorded or remain unreported. The frequency of conflicts with recreational users and accidents in the context of hunting is also rarely disclosed.

From the perspectives of animal welfare, environmental law, and democratic oversight, this lack of transparency is problematic. The public bears the ecological and ethical consequences of hunting but has little insight into the actual practice. Parliament and authorities decide on hunting laws and regulations without a solid, publicly verifiable data basis.

Consistent hunting statistics with clear reporting requirements and annual publication provide a solution. They enable:

• a fact-based discussion about the meaning, scope, and forms of hunting
• the early detection of negative developments, such as excessive shooting numbers or frequent misfires.
• better monitoring of compliance with animal welfare regulations
• Honest information for the public instead of sanitized hunting propaganda.

The additional effort is manageable compared to the benefits, especially since much of the data is already at least partially collected. This motion instructs the government council to regulate and standardize this area and to legally guarantee transparency.

Anyone who claims to shoot in the name of nature and the public should not be afraid of the numbers. Transparency is the minimum requirement for a modern, responsible hunting policy.