Template texts for hunting-critical initiatives in cantonal parliaments
More and more members of parliament want a hunting policy that respects animals and nature – 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. IG Wild beim Wild thereby makes available, free of charge, template texts for motions, postulates, popular initiatives and other parliamentary submissions. Each text can be adopted directly, adapted to the canton and submitted. The texts are organised thematically according to the seven categories of wildbeimwild.com – so that you can immediately find the relevant 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 against the cantonal legal situation before submission.
- Statute designations, article numbers and parliamentary formats (motion, postulate, interpellation) are to be completed at the cantonal level.
- The template texts consistently distinguish between licence hunting (around 65% of cantons, no territorial 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: IG Wild beim Wild accepts no liability for the legal correctness of submitted texts.
- For questions about canton-specific adaptation: Get in touch →
1. Foundations & 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: Foundations & Hunting in Switzerland →
- Hunting rest on private woodland: exempting 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: a science-based and animal-ethical realignment of cantonal hunting policy
According to the available state of research, fox hunting has no demonstrable population-regulating effect. This motion calls for a cantonally anchored ban based on the Federal Act on Hunting (JSG). - Abolition of small game hunting: protecting endangered species from hobby 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 elevated safety risk and cause massive stress for wild animals. The motion calls for a cantonal ban. - Protection of young and parent animals: consistent closed seasons and rest zones
Scientifically sound closed seasons and spatial rest zones during breeding, birthing and rearing periods should be made 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 dismantling obligations. - Hunting ban modelled on Geneva: 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 the canton itself. - Hunting-free zones and pilot area modelled on Geneva
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 forgoing hunting. - Curbing hobby hunting tourism: ban on advertising for trophy hunting trips and regulation of cantonal hunting licences for foreign guests
The commercial allocation of kill rights for sought-after wildlife species to affluent hunting guests should be prohibited, and the advertising of trophy hunting trips should require cantonal authorisation. - Wildlife corridors instead of kills: binding anchoring of habitat connectivity in cantonal spatial planning
Wildlife corridors should be designated as priority areas in the cantonal structure plan, green bridges should be planned in on a binding basis, and kills in fragmented areas should 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 should be independently reviewed, baiting should be banned and hygiene requirements tightened. - Right to recreation without confrontation with hobby hunting: ensuring free access to nature for the public
Hunting-free weekends, digital hunting maps, recreation zones and reporting offices are intended to safeguard the public's right to undisturbed recreation in forests and nature. - Mandatory biodiversity assessment before issuing kill permits
Before every kill permit, an independent specialist body should assess what impact the planned removals will have on local and regional biodiversity. - Professional game warden corps: increasing and professionalising cantonal wildlife management
The cantonal game warden corps should be doubled, given a code of honour and gradually established as the primary authority for wildlife management – following the model 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 target the hunting lobby's political influence, propaganda in schools, and irrelevant privileges for hunting associations. Background information can be found in the Dossier: Politics, lobby & media →
- Curbing hunting propaganda using dead animals
The publicly accessible display of killed wild animals (game displays, trophy shows) should be regulated at cantonal level – in line with 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 of 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 contributions to nature conservation. - Permit requirement for public hunting events: regulating Hubertus masses, game 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 over the entanglement of hunting administration and hunting associations: disclosure of dual personal 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 regulations. - Lobby transparency and recusal obligations in hunting-policy decisions
Members of parliament with hunting interests should be subject to disclosure 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 preventing the consumption of alcohol and drugs 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 under the influence. - Hobby hunting and crime: tightening aptitude checks, reporting obligations and consequences
Convictions for violent offences should lead to the immediate withdrawal of the hunting licence. The initiative also calls for mandatory psychological aptitude checks when granting licences. - Lead-free hunting: ban on lead ammunition in the canton
Lead ammunition demonstrably contaminates the bodies of wild animals and the environment. Germany and Austria have already taken steps towards restriction. The initiative calls for a cantonal ban. - Ban on cruel trap and lure hunting
Live-animal traps, glue traps and certain lure-hunting methods stand in direct contradiction to 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 forest 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 offenders 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 the weapon ownership of persons holding a hunting licence. - Ban on high-tech hunting methods: No thermal imaging cameras, night-vision targeting devices or drones in hobby hunting
Thermal imaging cameras, night-vision optics, drones and digital decoy callers turn hobby hunting into a technologically upgraded killing machine. 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, area-wide high hunt is to be replaced by evidence-based management, rest 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 expanding hobby hunting. Evidence-based disease control instead of expanded kills. - Restriction of wait hunting: Baiting ban, night-wait regulation and rest zones
The baiting of wild animals is to be banned, night wait hunting regulated and rest zones bindingly designated. - Ban on earth hunting: Abolishing one of the cruellest forms of hunting
Earth hunting – in which dogs are sent into the burrows of foxes and badgers – is to be completely banned without exception. - Regulation of wait hunting: Restriction of winter hunting in high-mountain corridors
Wait hunting in wildlife corridors and during 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 any 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 the depiction of violence. Basis: the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG) and the constitutionally enshrined dignity of living beings (Art. 120 of the Federal Constitution). - Animal-cruelty leisure formats and terraristics fairs
Events that display living or dead animals in a degrading manner should require cantonal authorisation and be prohibitable in the event of a breach of the TSchG. - Ban on children and young people taking part in hunting
In several cantons, minors are actively involved in hunting activities. The motion demands a minimum age of 18 for any form of participation in hunting activities – invoking the best interests of the child (Swiss Civil Code, Art. 301 et seq.) and the protection of young people. - Making the health risks of game meat transparent
Game meat can contain lead residues, parasites and zoonoses. The motion demands a mandatory labelling requirement for directly marketed game meat as well as a duty 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 advocate at federal level for a national import ban on hunting trophies and prepare a cantonal initiative. - Closing the animal welfare loophole: putting wild animals on an equal footing in the Animal Welfare Act
Wild animals killed in the course of hobby hunting should be subject to the same animal welfare standards as livestock in slaughterhouses. - Ending leisure violence against animals: recognising hobby hunting as a form of leisure violence
The cantonal government 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 motions are directed against the killing of wolves, demand herd protection and call for the integration of predators into cantonal forestry policy. Studies, figures and legal classification in the Dossier: Wolf, predators & politics →
- Moratorium or ban on wolf hunting
Wolf kills in Switzerland are based on the revised JSG (2023), which is criticised by environmental organisations as incompatible with international protection obligations (Bern Convention). The motion calls for a cantonal moratorium until the final legal review. - Protecting protective forests from hobby hunting and integrating predators
The presence of wolves and other predators demonstrably reduces browsing pressure in protective forests (trophic cascade). The motion calls for protective 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 accompaniment) instead of issuing kill permits. - Independent evaluation of cantonal wolf kills and their ecological impacts
All wolf kills carried out since the 2023 JSG revision should be independently evaluated – with regard to 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 comply 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 nets
Fences and pasture nets cause numerous wild animal injuries and deaths each year. The motion calls for binding cantonal standards for construction, marking and maintenance in line with the state of scientific knowledge. - Transparent hunting statistics: disclosing kills, follow-up searches and failed kills
In Switzerland, failed kills (animals that are shot but not killed) are systematically not recorded. The motion calls for complete hunting statistics, publicly accessible at cantonal level, including follow-up searches and loss rates. - Hunting-free zones and a pilot area modelled on Geneva
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 forgoing 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 conservation contributions. - Independent hunting supervision: external oversight instead of self-monitoring
In most cantons, control over the proper exercise of hunting lies with the hunters themselves. The proposal calls for a supervisory body funded by the canton and independent of the hunting community. - Removing the “cultivated landscape” as justification for the killing of wild animals: ecological factual arguments instead of myths
The blanket reference to the “protection of the cultivated landscape” as justification for kill permits should be removed 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 abolish hobby hunting directly at the ballot box – without taking the detour through parliament. Background information can be found 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 to fully abolish hobby hunting, modelled on 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 to abolish territorial hunting, with a compensation clause for municipalities and professional wildlife management based on the Geneva model. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Schaffhausen
At 298 km² almost identical to Geneva (282 km²), requiring only 1’000 signatures and being the only canton in Switzerland with compulsory voting, Schaffhausen offers ideal conditions. Template text for a cantonal popular initiative to abolish territorial hunting based on the Geneva model. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Zug
The first licence hunting canton with a template text: at 239 km² smaller than Geneva, with only 230 hobby hunters among around 135’000 inhabitants and, as Switzerland’s wealthiest canton, without any 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 built on the agricultural argument. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Neuchatel
As a neighbouring canton of 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: the youngest canton in Switzerland 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
A 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
The largest Central Plateau canton with the lowest per-capita costs in 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 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
The largest territorial hunting canton in Central Switzerland: the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve, the wolf on Pilatus, per-capita costs below the Geneva level. 4’000 signatures, territorial hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Zurich
A fresh attempt after 2018: positive title, transparent cost calculation (0.25 to 0.45 francs per inhabitant), species protection clause, municipal compensation. The lowest per-capita costs of all cantons. 6’000 signatures, 6 months, territorial hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Bern
The largest licence hunting canton in Switzerland, bilingual, with a federal-capital effect. Wolf policy in the Oberland as a mobilising theme. 15’000 signatures, 6 months, per-capita costs below the Geneva level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Fribourg
Bilingual bridge canton between French-speaking Switzerland 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 the Geneva level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Schwyz
Central Switzerland test case: Ausserschwyz as an urban base, the 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 issue, the highest ibex density in central Switzerland. 600 signatures (the second-lowest threshold), licence hunting. In absolute terms below the Geneva budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Obwalden
Pilatus canton: the wolf as a mobilising issue, 500 signatures, licence hunting. In absolute terms below the Geneva budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Nidwalden
Almost the same size as Geneva (276 vs. 282 km²): the direct comparison of area is communicatively powerful. 250 signatures, licence hunting. In absolute terms a fraction of the Geneva budget. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Vaud
Strategically the most important French-speaking canton: direct neighbour of Geneva, the largest French-speaking canton, controversial wolf kills as a mobilising occasion. 12’000 signatures, licence hunting, per-capita costs below the Geneva level. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Valais
Epicentre of wolf policy: politically the most difficult canton, but with the greatest media impact. Bilingual, neighbour of Geneva. 4’000 signatures, licence hunting, the largest Alpine canton. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Grisons
Largest canton in Switzerland: the Swiss National Park has demonstrated natural regulation for 100 years. Trilingual, the strongest hunting tradition, wolf policy. 4’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Ticino
The only Italian-speaking canton: opens up the third language region to the movement. The wolf in the Sopraceneri, an urban base in the Sottoceneri. 7’000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Glarus
Landsgemeinde canton: no collection of signatures necessary, a Memorialsantrag suffices. Open vote, the wolf in the Glarus region, the ibex on the Tödi. Licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative – Canton of Appenzell Inner Rhodes
Smallest canton in Switzerland, a Landsgemeinde canton: no signature collection required. Smaller than Geneva (173 vs. 282 km²), with the Alpstein as a wildlife area. In absolute terms, the lowest costs of all cantons.
8. Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»
Alongside cantonal proposals, a template for a federal popular initiative is now also available. It transfers Geneva's 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 endangered species such as the 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 explanations, 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 continuously expanded. Last updated: March 2026.