Sonnenberg in Lucerne to become a hunting reserve
Instead of the highly accident-prone hunting that takes place on the Sonnenberg today, a wildlife park or deer park for the whole population is now to be created. This would ensure that the forest and the land are used in a manner consistent with animal welfare, while offering the public something meaningful and positive. Nature for everyone — without hobby hunters.
The Sonnenberg is a popular hiking and recreation area between Kriens and Lucerne.
The hill offers a beautiful view over the city of Lucerne and passes through the gorge of the Renggbach, which was carved by hand centuries ago. It is a forest enclosed by residential areas and large city buildings, with some arable land and meadows.
Regrettably, the peaceful idyll is regularly disturbed by hobby hunters who stand out due to their inappropriate presence. As many as 75 percent of the hobby hunters in the Sonnenberg hunting district are said to be well above retirement age. And it is reported that hobby hunters in the Sonnenberg forest have been known to shoot domestic cats. Flyers circulate in the area time and again on this matter: «Cat missing — please report.»
Dangerous hobby hunting near residential areas
Hobby hunting with shotguns, as well as the many driven hunts, are extremely dangerous in areas close to residential zones. When a shotgun is fired at a roe deer, at most half of the pellets hit the animal’s body — the other half can travel up to 600 metres further and still cause serious injuries. Must more accidents happen before action is finally taken?
The Sonnenberg is entirely the wrong location for a hunting operation. The Sonnenberg forest is an excellent local recreation area for both people and animals. The Sonnenberg also contains several water reservoirs that supply the city of Lucerne and the surrounding area with drinking water. Many residents of Lucerne are furthermore concerned that the highly toxic ammunition residue left behind by hobby hunters — such as lead — will cause lasting contamination of the groundwater.
Recreational use conflicts
Unfortunately, this area of the Sonnenberg is still claimed by hobby hunters as their private property, even though none of them own any of the forest or land.
For several years, the Sonnenberg has been leased as a hunting ground. From October 1 to December 15, large driven hunts with 30 or more shooters take place there. The hobby hunters occupy the Sonnenberg recreational area practically from Monday to Saturday during the hunting season, leaving the general public out in the cold.
A proper wildlife park like the deer park at the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital is being considered. In Horw, hunting operations in the Bireggwald were already discontinued 10 years ago for similar reasons. The Gütschwald in Lucerne is also already a hunting sanctuary. More on the animal welfare problem of hobby hunting and why hobby hunting fails as population control.
