Template texts for hunting-critical initiatives in cantonal parliaments
More and more members of parliament want a hunting policy that respects animal welfare and nature conservation – and they fail not for lack of political will, but for lack of time to formulate concrete initiatives. This page brings together all the templates in one place.
On this page you will find over 80 ready-formulated template texts (including cantonal popular initiatives) for hunting-critical motions in cantonal parliaments and beyond. The IG Wild beim Wild thereby provides template texts for motions, postulates, popular initiatives and other parliamentary proposals free of charge. Each text can be adopted directly, adapted to the canton and submitted. The texts are structured thematically according to the seven categories of wildbeimwild.com – so that you can immediately find the appropriate scientific background and sources you need to justify your motion.
Important notes on use
- All texts are templates and must be reviewed legally and formally in accordance with the cantonal legal situation before submission.
- Legal designations, article numbers and parliamentary formats (motion, postulate, interpellation) must be completed at the cantonal level.
- The template texts consistently distinguish between licence hunting (around 65% of cantons, no hunting ground responsibility) and territorial hunting – please check the relevant regulation in your own canton.
- Mandate holders, parties, organisations and committed private individuals may freely adopt and adapt all texts.
- Legal notice: The IG Wild beim Wild accepts no liability for the legal correctness of submitted texts.
- For questions about canton-specific adaptation: Get in touch →
1. Fundamentals & hunting in Switzerland
These motions are directed against the basic structure of hobby hunting in Switzerland – from closed seasons through hunting bans to the exemption of private land. Scientific background, legal foundations (JSG, cantonal hunting acts, TSchG) and supporting arguments can be found in the Dossier: Fundamentals & hunting in Switzerland →
- Hunting rest on private forest: exemption of private properties on ethical grounds
Landowners should be granted the right to exempt their properties from hunting on ethical grounds – analogous to regulations in several EU states and the Geneva model. - Ban on fox hunting: science-based and animal-ethical reorientation of cantonal hunting policy
According to the available research, fox hunting has no demonstrable population-regulating effect. This motion calls for a cantonally anchored ban on the basis of the Federal Act on Hunting (JSG). - Abolition of small game hunting: protecting endangered species from leisure hunting
Several small game species (brown hare, grey partridge, woodcock) are on Switzerland's Red List. This motion calls for an immediate hunting ban on endangered species. - Ban on driven hunts
Driven hunts involving beaters, dogs and numerous shooters pose an increased safety risk and cause massive stress for wild animals. The motion calls for a cantonal ban. - Protection of young animals and parent animals: consistent closed seasons and rest zones
Scientifically grounded closed seasons and spatial rest zones during breeding, birthing and rearing periods are to be enshrined as binding at cantonal level. - Illegal high seats: clearing forests of hunting clutter
Unauthorised high seats and hunting infrastructure unlawfully obstruct public forest areas. The motion calls for systematic inspections and removal obligations. - Hunting ban following the Geneva model: replacing hobby hunting with professional wildlife management
The canton of Geneva abolished hobby hunting in 1974 and replaced it with state-run wildlife management. The motion calls for a corresponding pilot project or a popular initiative in its own canton. - Hunting-free zones and pilot area following the Geneva model
As a first step, defined areas are to be declared hunting-free for five years in order to scientifically document the ecological and social effects of foregoing hunting. - Curbing hobby hunting tourism: banning advertising for trophy hunting trips and regulating cantonal hunting licences for foreign guests
The commercial allocation of kill rights on sought-after wild animal species to affluent hunting guests is to be prohibited, and the advertising of trophy hunting trips is to be made subject to cantonal authorisation. - Wildlife corridors instead of kills: binding anchoring of habitat connectivity in cantonal spatial planning
Wildlife corridors are to be enshrined as priority areas in the cantonal structure plan, green bridges are to be planned as binding, and kills in fragmented areas are to be replaced by spatial planning measures. - Hobby hunting and wildlife diseases: independent review of the role of hunting in the spread of zoonoses and epidemics
The role of hobby hunting in the spread of wildlife diseases is to be independently reviewed, baiting is to be banned, and hygiene requirements are to be tightened. - Right to recreation without confrontation with hobby hunting: ensuring free access to nature for the population
Hunting-free weekends, digital hunting maps, recreation zones and reporting offices are intended to safeguard the public's right to undisturbed recreation in the forest and in nature. - Mandatory biodiversity assessment before granting kill permits
Before every kill permit is issued, an independent specialist body should assess what impact the planned removals will have on local and regional biodiversity. - Professional game warden corps: expansion and professionalisation of cantonal wildlife management
The cantonal game warden corps should be doubled, provided with a code of honour and gradually established as the primary authority for wildlife management – following the example of the canton of Geneva. - Reform of hobby hunter training: mandatory animal welfare and ethics examination as a prerequisite for the hunting licence
Hunter training should be expanded to include mandatory modules in animal welfare law, animal ethics and wildlife ecology, supplemented by a psychological aptitude assessment and periodic re-examination.
2. Politics, lobby & media
These initiatives are directed against the political influence of the hunting lobby, against propaganda in schools and against irrelevant privileges for hunting associations. Background information in the Dossier: Politics, lobby & media →
- Curbing hunting propaganda with dead animals
The publicly accessible display of killed wild animals (hunting bags, trophy shows) should be regulated at cantonal level – analogous to existing animal welfare provisions on the display of animal carcasses. - No hunting propaganda by hobby hunters in schools
Hunting associations must not use public school lessons for uncritical advertising for hobby hunting. The initiative calls for binding criteria for external actors in educational institutions. - Withdrawal of environmental privileges for hunting associations
In several cantons, hunting associations are recognised as nature conservation organisations and enjoy corresponding tax and procedural privileges. This initiative calls for a review of this classification on the basis of demonstrable nature conservation contributions. - Permit requirement for public hunting events: regulating Hubertus masses, hunting bag displays and hunting fairs
Events at which killed wild animals are publicly displayed or trophy hunting trips are advertised should be made subject to a cantonal permit requirement. - Transparency about the interconnection between hunting administration and hunting associations: disclosure of personal dual roles
Personal and institutional entanglements between the hunting administration and hunting associations should be made transparent, and conflicts of interest should be prevented through incompatibility rules. - Lobby transparency and recusal obligation in hunting-policy decisions
Members of parliament with hunting interests should be subject to disclosure obligations and recusal obligations. A public lobby register should document all contacts between hunting associations and the cantonal administration.
3. Hunting methods, safety & technology
These initiatives address concrete safety risks, health hazards and technical aspects of hobby hunting. Studies, accident statistics and legal foundations in the Dossier: Hunting methods, safety & technology →
- Effectively curbing alcohol and drug consumption during hobby hunting
Unlike in road traffic, most cantons have no binding blood-alcohol limits for persons carrying firearms while hunting. The initiative calls for rules analogous to those for driving a vehicle under the influence. - Hobby hunting and crime: tightening aptitude checks, reporting obligations and consequences
Convictions for violent offences should lead to the immediate revocation of the hunting licence. The initiative also calls for mandatory psychological aptitude checks when granting licences. - Lead-free hunting: banning lead-containing ammunition in the canton
Lead-containing ammunition demonstrably contaminates the bodies of wild animals and the environment. Germany and Austria have already taken steps towards restrictions. The initiative calls for a cantonal ban. - Ban on cruel trap hunting and lure hunting
Live traps, glue traps and certain lure-hunting methods directly contradict the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG Art. 4). The initiative calls for an explicit cantonal ban. - Public safety: minimum distances, exclusion zones, reporting obligation
The use of firearms in wooded areas near settlements, hiking trails and schools should be regulated through binding minimum distances and a reporting obligation for hunting events. - Transparent recording of hobby hunters in violent offences
Official statistics do not record whether perpetrators hold a hunting licence or whether hunting weapons were used. The initiative calls for systematic data collection and annual publication as a basis for evidence-based violence prevention. - Protection against domestic gun violence: hunting weapons, hobby hunters and femicides
Hunting weapons are involved in a considerable number of femicides and acts of domestic violence. The motion calls for systematic recording as well as preventive measures regarding weapon ownership by hunting-licensed individuals. - Ban on high-tech hunting methods: no thermal imaging cameras, night vision sights or drones in hobby hunting
Thermal imaging cameras, night vision optics, drones and digital calling devices turn hobby hunting into a technologically upgraded killing machinery. The motion calls for a comprehensive cantonal ban. - Protection of hunting dogs: ban on earth hunting with dogs, mandatory reporting of injuries and husbandry controls
Hunting dogs are among the forgotten victims of hobby hunting. The motion calls for a ban on earth hunting with dogs, mandatory reporting of injuries and binding husbandry standards. - Reform of the cantonal high hunt: from traditional ritual to evidence-based wildlife management
The blanket, nationwide high hunt is to be replaced by evidence-based management, quiet zones are to be designated and the transition to the game warden model is to be examined. - African swine fever: no expansion of hobby hunting under the pretext of disease control
Disease scenarios such as ASF must not be used as a pretext for an expansion of hobby hunting. Evidence-based disease control instead of kill expansions. - Restriction of wait hunting: baiting ban, night-wait regulation and quiet zones
The baiting of wild animals is to be banned, night waiting regulated and quiet zones bindingly designated. - Ban on earth hunting: abolishing one of the cruellest forms of hunting
Earth hunting – in which dogs are sent into the underground burrows of foxes and badgers – is to be completely and without exception banned. - Regulation of wait hunting: restriction of winter hunting in high-mountain corridors
Wait hunting in wildlife corridors and in the winter months is to be banned, the list of species restricted and its abolition examined. - Abolition of the special hunt: transition to the professional game warden model
The special hunt as an additional hunting period is to be abolished and remaining regulatory tasks transferred to the professional wildlife wardens.
4. Animal dignity, images of violence & the psychological dimension
These motions protect children from images of violence, strengthen animal dignity and call for transparency about the health risks of game meat. Scientific foundations in the Dossier: Animal dignity, images of violence & the psychological dimension →
- Regulating trophy photos: protecting animal dignity beyond death
The sharing of photos of killed wild animals on social media and in public spaces should be regulated in the same way as bans on depictions of violence. Basis: the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG) and the constitutionally enshrined dignity of the creature (Art. 120 of the Federal Constitution). - Cruel leisure formats and terrarium fairs
Events that display living or dead animals in a degrading manner should require cantonal authorisation and be liable to prohibition in the event of a breach of the TSchG. - Ban on children and young people participating in hunting
In several cantons, minors are actively involved in hunting activities. The proposal calls for a minimum age of 18 for any form of participation in hunting activities – citing the welfare of the child (Swiss Civil Code, Art. 301 ff.) and the protection of young people. - Making the health risks of game meat transparent
Game meat can contain lead residues, parasites and zoonoses. The proposal calls for a mandatory labelling requirement for directly marketed game meat, as well as an obligation to inform consumers. - Cantonal reporting obligation and statistics for all hobby hunting victims
A comprehensive, mandatory reporting obligation and a publicly accessible set of statistics should be introduced for all personal injuries, property damage and animal injuries connected with hobby hunting. - Cantonal commitment to a national import ban on hunting trophies
The canton should actively campaign at federal level for a national import ban on hunting trophies and prepare a cantonal initiative. - Closing the gap in animal welfare law: equal treatment of wild animals under the Animal Welfare Act
Wild animals killed in the course of hobby hunting should be subject to the same animal welfare standards as farm animals in slaughterhouses. - Ending leisure violence against animals: recognising hobby hunting as a form of leisure violence
The Cantonal Executive Council should examine in a report whether hobby hunting is to be classified as leisure violence against animals and what consequences this would have for cantonal hunting policy.
5. Wolf, predators & politics
These proposals oppose wolf killings, call for herd protection and demand the integration of predators into cantonal forestry policy. Studies, figures and legal assessments in the Dossier: Wolf, predators & politics →
- Moratorium on lynx killings in the case of a genetically endangered population
Several cantons are considering lynx regulation, even though the species is genetically impoverished according to KORA and FIWI, and populations have demonstrably been decimated by poaching. The motion calls for a moratorium, independent population analyses and consistent action against poaching instead of kill applications. - Moratorium or ban on wolf hunting
Wolf kills in Switzerland are carried out on the basis of the revised JSG (2023), which environmental organisations criticise as incompatible with international protection obligations (Bern Convention). The motion calls for a cantonal moratorium until the legal review is concluded. - Protecting protection forests from hobby hunting and integrating predators
The presence of wolves and other predators demonstrably reduces browsing pressure in protection forests (trophic cascade). The motion calls for protection forest zones to be consistently exempted from hobby hunting. - Herd protection instead of wolf kills: dealing with the wolf in the canton
The motion calls for cantonal funds to be used primarily for effective herd protection measures (livestock guardian dogs, fences, alpine escorting) rather than for granting kill permits. - Independent evaluation of cantonal wolf kills and their ecological impacts
All wolf kills carried out since the JSG revision in 2023 should be independently evaluated – in terms of effectiveness, ecological consequences, costs and legal compliance. - Compliance with international species protection standards for cantonal wolf kills
All cantonal kill decisions concerning the wolf should be in accordance with the Bern Convention. Review under international law, rights of appeal and protection of the wolf as a strictly protected species.
6. Law, Oversight & Alternatives
These motions strengthen state oversight, demand transparency in hunting statistics and rely on independent supervision instead of self-monitoring by hunters. Legal foundations in the Dossier: Law, Oversight & Alternatives →
- Animal welfare-compliant requirements for fences and pasture netting
Fences and pasture nets cause numerous wild animal injuries and deaths every year. The motion calls for binding cantonal standards for construction, marking and maintenance in line with the state of science. - Transparent hunting statistics: disclosing kills, follow-up searches and mis-kills
In Switzerland, mis-shots (animals that are shot but not killed) are systematically not recorded. The motion demands a complete hunting statistic, publicly accessible at cantonal level, including follow-up searches and loss rates. - Hunting-free zones and pilot area based on the Geneva model
As a first step, defined areas should be declared hunting-free for five years in order to scientifically document the ecological and social effects of abstaining from hunting. - Withdrawal of environmental privileges for hunting associations
Hunting associations recognised as nature conservation organisations should only retain their privileges if they can demonstrate verifiable contributions to nature conservation. - Independent hunting supervision: external control instead of self-monitoring
In most cantons, the oversight of the correct exercise of hunting lies with the hunters themselves. The motion demands a supervisory body financed by the canton and independent of the hunters. - Delete «cultivated landscape» as justification for shooting wild animals: ecological factual arguments instead of myths
The blanket reference to the «protection of the cultivated landscape» as justification for shooting permits should be deleted and replaced with evidence-based, ecologically grounded criteria.
7. Cantonal popular initiatives
In addition to parliamentary motions (motions, postulates), IG Wild beim Wild also provides template texts for cantonal popular initiatives. Popular initiatives enable the population to bring about the abolition of hobby hunting directly at the ballot box – without the detour via parliament. Background information in the Dossier: Geneva and the hunting ban → and in the Dossier: Hunting ban Switzerland →
- Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Basel-Stadt
The exercise of hunting by private individuals (militia hunting, hobby hunting) is prohibited throughout the entire territory of the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative for the complete abolition of hobby hunting based on the model of the Canton of Geneva. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Basel-Landschaft
The exercise of hunting by private individuals (territorial hunting, hobby hunting) is prohibited throughout the entire territory of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative for the abolition of territorial hunting, with a compensation clause for municipalities and professional wildlife management based on the Geneva model. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Schaffhausen
With 298 km² almost identical to Geneva (282 km²), only 1,000 signatures required and the sole compulsory voting requirement in Switzerland, Schaffhausen offers ideal conditions. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative to abolish territorial hunting following the Geneva model. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Zug
First licence hunting canton with template text: at 239 km² smaller than Geneva, only 230 hobby hunters for around 135,000 inhabitants and, as the wealthiest canton in Switzerland, without a cost argument. Professional wildlife protection instead of «noisy hunting» with scent hounds. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes
The lowest signature threshold in Switzerland: only 300 signatures required. At 243 km² smaller than Geneva, a licence hunting canton, with a rural campaign strategy and an agricultural argument. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Neuchatel
As a canton neighbouring Geneva, Neuchatel has the most direct access to the proven Geneva model. Wolf policy in the Jura as a topical occasion, Dandliker as campaign partner, 4,500 signatures in 6 months. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Jura
Second Romandie canton: Switzerland's youngest canton with a progressive tradition, the most important lynx area, wolf policy in the Jura as an acute occasion. 2,000 signatures, licence hunting, Dandliker as campaign partner. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Solothurn
Territorial hunting canton at the southern foot of the Jura: lynx, beaver and wolf make professional wildlife protection a concrete necessity. 3,000 signatures, 18 months, municipal compensation, 1.10 to 2.20 francs per inhabitant. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Aargau
Largest Central Plateau canton with the lowest per-capita costs of the series: under one franc per person per year. 3,000 signatures, 200 hunting grounds, territorial hunting, Switzerland's most important beaver canton. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Thurgau
Lake Constance canton: the abolition of hobby hunting on Lake Geneva has multiplied the waterfowl from a few hundred to 30,000. Lake Constance has the same potential. 4,000 signatures, 6-month collection period, territorial hunting. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Lucerne
Largest territorial hunting canton in Central Switzerland: UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve, wolf on Mount Pilatus, per-capita costs below the Geneva level. 4,000 signatures, territorial hunting. - Cantonal Popular Initiative – Canton of Zurich
Fresh attempt after 2018: positive title, transparent cost accounting (0.25 to 0.45 francs per inhabitant), species-protection paragraph, municipal compensation. Lowest per-capita costs of any canton. 6’000 signatures, 6 months, territorial hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Bern
Switzerland's largest licence-hunting canton, bilingual, federal-capital effect. Wolf policy in the Oberland as a mobilising topic. 15’000 signatures, 6 months, per-capita costs below Geneva's level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Fribourg
Bilingual bridge canton between the Romandie and German-speaking Switzerland. Neighbour of Geneva, modern constitution (2004), the Fribourg Pre-Alps as a wildlife area. 6’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of St. Gallen
Largest Eastern Swiss canton: Alpstein, wolf policy in the Sarganserland, Lake Constance as a waterfowl area. 4’000 signatures, territorial hunting, per-capita costs below Geneva's level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Schwyz
Central Switzerland test case: Ausserschwyz as an urban base, wolf in the Muotathal, modern constitution (2010). 2’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Uri
Gotthard canton: wolf policy as a mobilising topic, highest ibex density in Central Switzerland. 600 signatures (second-lowest hurdle), licence hunting. In absolute figures below Geneva's budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Obwalden
Pilatus canton: wolf as a mobilising topic, 500 signatures, licence hunting. In absolute figures below Geneva's budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Nidwalden
Almost the same size as Geneva (276 vs. 282 km²): the direct area comparison is communicatively powerful. 250 signatures, licence hunting. In absolute figures a fraction of Geneva's budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Vaud
Strategically the most important Romandie canton: direct neighbour of Geneva, largest Romandie canton, controversial wolf kills as a mobilising occasion. 12’000 signatures, licence hunting, per-capita costs below Geneva's level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Valais
Epicentre of wolf policy: politically the most difficult canton, but the greatest media impact. Bilingual, neighbour of Geneva. 4’000 signatures, licence hunting, largest Alpine canton. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Grisons
Largest canton in Switzerland: the Swiss National Park has proven natural regulation for 100 years. Trilingual, strongest hunting tradition, wolf policy. 4’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Ticino
Only Italian-speaking canton: opens the third language region to the movement. Wolf in the Sopraceneri, urban base in the Sottoceneri. 7’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Glarus
Landsgemeinde canton: no signature collection needed, a Memorial motion suffices. Open vote, wolf in the Glarnerland, ibex on the Tödi. Licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Appenzell Inner Rhodes
Smallest canton in Switzerland, Landsgemeinde canton: no signature collection needed. Smaller than Geneva (173 vs. 282 km²), the Alpstein as wildlife territory. In absolute figures, the lowest costs of all cantons.
8th Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»
Alongside the cantonal proposals, a template for a federal popular initiative is now also available. It transfers the Geneva model of professional wildlife management to the whole of Switzerland, enshrines a ban on hobby hunting in the Federal Constitution and strengthens the protection of threatened species such as wolf, lynx, bear and beaver.
The initiative text is available as a fully drafted constitutional proposal (Art. 79a/79b of the Federal Constitution) and can be adopted and further developed politically by parties, organisations and private individuals. The complete proposal with explanatory notes, cost estimate and strategy memo can be accessed here: Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»
Support & contact
The IG Wild beim Wild is available to elected officials free of charge and without obligation for the canton-specific adaptation of all template texts.
The collection is being continually expanded. Last updated: March 2026.