Schwyz: Revision of the Hunting and Wildlife Protection Act

A partial revision of the cantonal Hunting and Wildlife Protection Act is intended to introduce new regulations for the use of dogs in big game hunting.

This new regulation was prompted by a motion declared substantial by the cantonal council. In the course of this partial revision, a need for adjustment was also identified in other areas of hunting legislation.

Changes to the use of hunting dogs
Under the current Hunting and Wildlife Protection Act, all hunting dogs that have passed a blood-tracking or down-and-stay obedience test may be used in big game hunting. A motion declared substantial mandated the cantonal government to submit a report and proposal to the cantonal council for an amendment to the cantonal Hunting and Wildlife Protection Act, stipulating that only dogs from the blood-tracking dog squad and dogs deemed suitable by the responsible game warden may be used in big game hunting.

Closing legal loopholes and strengthening enforcement
Since the revised Hunting and Wildlife Protection Act came into force in 2016, various difficulties in enforcement have been identified. These legal loopholes are to be closed. Among other things, the possibility of imposing administrative measures is also to be introduced.

Wildlife rest zones
Conflicts between the needs of people seeking recreation and the need of wild animals for retreat and protection from disturbance have steadily increased in recent years. However, current legislation provides no basis for designating legally binding wildlife rest zones. The Department of the Environment is therefore to be given the authority to designate such zones where necessary.

The Department of the Environment is opening the public consultation process, which runs until 27 July 2022. The consultation documents are available at www.sz.ch/vernehmlassung .