Independent Hunting Supervision: External Control Instead of Self-Control
1. Motion
The Government Council is mandated to submit to the Grand Council a proposal for amending the Law on Hunting and Wildlife Protection (………) as well as the Hunting Ordinance (………), which creates independent, official supervision over hunting in Canton (………) and replaces or supplements the existing forms of hunting-related self-control with binding external control mechanisms. The legislative revision must in particular ensure that:
- supervision of hunting practice, hunting planning and enforcement controls is organizationally and personally independent from hunting interest organizations, hunting societies and hunting-related structures;
- responsibilities for controls, investigations and sanctions clearly lie with a cantonal authority or an independent specialized office that has sufficient resources, supervisory powers and professional competencies;
- an independent reporting center and complaints office is created for incidents in the hunting context, where private individuals, municipalities, forest owners and animal welfare organizations can submit reports with low barriers;
- a binding obligation to document and report hunting controls, conflict situations and safety-relevant incidents, particularly in:
- Shooting incidents near settlements or in areas with high public traffic
- Conflicts between hunters and the population
- Suspected violations of animal welfare, weapons, hunting or nature conservation law
- the authority has effective supervisory measures at its disposal, namely:
- Imposition of conditions
- Temporary suspension of hunting rights
- Withdrawal or non-renewal of permits and licenses for serious or repeated violations
- Mandatory training and continuing education when deficiencies are identified (de-escalation, law, animal welfare, safety)
- the Government Council transparently presents in the message:
- how independence is organizationally ensured (incompatibilities, conflicts of interest, election and appointment procedures)
- what human and financial resources are necessary
- how the new supervision improves public safety, animal welfare and law enforcement
- how data on controls, violations and sanctions will be collected and published in the future (annual report).
The Government Council considers in its proposal the necessary transitional provisions, particularly with regard to existing enforcement structures and ongoing hunting arrangements.
2. Brief justification
Hunting takes place in public spaces, using firearms and with direct impacts on animals, safety and the population's sense of security. Precisely in such areas, a fundamental principle of the rule of law is central: control must be independent. When control functions effectively originate from the same environment that is being controlled, structural conflicts of interest arise. This weakens the credibility of enforcement, complicates the investigation of incidents and promotes escalations.
Independent, official supervision creates legal certainty for all parties involved. It protects wildlife through consistent enforcement, increases safety for the population and also relieves correctly acting hunters, because misconduct can no longer be relativized or concealed through milieu logic. Furthermore, transparent reporting strengthens trust in state action and prevents the impression that hunting sets its own rules and controls itself.
With this motion, the Government Council is tasked with creating a clear legal basis for independent control, effective sanctions and transparent accountability.