Popular Initiative: Graubünden and the Hobby Hunter Problem

On one hand, the popular initiative supports the opponents of the special hunt, but consistently goes further and aims to abolish the outdated and obsolete, cruel hunting methods in the canton of Graubünden.

«Enough is enough!», says Wildlife Protection Switzerland about the unnecessary killings and outdated views of hobby hunting and game management. Hobby hunting must become more humane and responsible, and must respect the natural needs of wildlife. For some time now, hunting fever has been moving in an increasingly brutal and irresponsible direction. Wild animals are not livestock or hunting trophies, serving only a bloody hobby that has nothing to do with wildlife stewardship. Wild animals belong to all the people of Graubünden, bring joy to our guests, and must not be left defenceless at the mercy of hobby hunters.

The latest findings show, among other things, that greater hunting pressure results in higher reproduction rates, which is why the inappropriate level of hunting pressure must be reduced. The umbrella organisation of hobby hunters supports these facts with the statement: «JagdSchweiz also knows that wildlife populations would, in principle – even in our cultivated landscape – regulate themselves naturally» (1). Wildlife needs voices in committees and authorities in order to find pragmatic solutions for their protection.

The Necessity of the Popular Initiative

In the canton of Graubünden, during the 2012 hunting season, 964 on-the-spot fines were issued for violations of hunting legislation and 125 reports were filed with the district offices (2). These conditions are alarming and can, to a large extent, be addressed through the 9 points of the initiative.

1. Pregnant hinds, hinds with young, as well as roe does and their fawns are to be protected as a general rule.
2. Traps for killing and the baiting of animals are to be prohibited.
3. All birds not protected under federal law are to be declared non-huntable.
4. General winter rest for all wild animals from November 1st until the start of the main hunting season.
5. Animal welfare advocates and non-hunters must be equally represented in the Office of Hunting and Fisheries as well as in the Hunting Commission.
6. The blood alcohol limits prescribed by road traffic legislation apply to the practice of hobby hunting.
7. Hunting suitability and marksmanship must be reviewed periodically (analogous to fitness to drive in road traffic). From 2016 onwards, only lead-free ammunition may be used.
8. Children under the age of 12 may not be taken along on hobby hunts and may not be encouraged to take up hobby hunting through school.
9. In the case of all exceptional damage, the wildlife wardens may only carry out culls if all other conceivable protective measures have proven ineffective.

For hunting that is compatible with nature and ethically sound

Wild Animal Protection Switzerland wants wild animals to become visible again in our tourism region, and for mother animals to be able to raise their deer calves and roe fawns without being chased or living in fear of death. In winter, wild animals should be able to conserve their energy as much as possible. Finally, animal welfare advocates must be able to make their arguments heard publicly. Wild Animal Protection Switzerland is convinced that the residents and guests of Graubünden will broadly support a nature-compatible and ethical approach to hunting through this popular initiative.

Sources:

(1) http://www.jagdschweiz.ch (deleted by JagdSchweiz)

(2) Annual Report of the Office of Hunting and Fisheries Graubünden 2012 (PDF, no longer available online)

Update 1.4.2016: Invalidity of the special hunt for hobby hunters becomes a matter for the Federal Court

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Update March 2026: Many of the nine demands of this popular initiative have since been made available as model texts for hunt-critical motions and can be submitted in any canton. The IG Wild beim Wild has also published a model text for a cantonal popular initiative.

Related dossiers and articles:

• Dossier: Special hunt in Graubünden
• Dossier: Main hunting season in Switzerland
• Dossier: Hunting and animal welfare
• Dossier: Hunting and children
• Dossier: Lead ammunition and environmental toxins
• Model text: Abolition of the special hunt
• Model text: Reform of the cantonal main hunting season
• Model text: Alcohol and drug use during hobby hunting