template texts for hunting-critical motions in cantonal parliaments
More and more members of parliament want a hunting policy that respects animal welfare and nature conservation, and are held back not by lack of political will but by lack of time to draft concrete motions. This page brings all the templates together in one place.
On this page you will find over 80 ready-made template texts (including cantonal popular initiatives) for hunting-critical motions in cantonal parliaments and beyond. The IG Wild beim Wild provides these template texts for motions, postulates, popular initiatives and other parliamentary proposals free of charge. Each text can be adopted directly, adapted to the relevant 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 checked for legal and formal correctness against the relevant cantonal legislation before submission.
- Legal references, article numbers and parliamentary formats (motion, postulate, interpellation) need to be completed for each canton.
- The template texts consistently distinguish between Licence hunting (around 65% of cantons, no responsibility for a hunting ground) and Territorial hunting: please check the relevant regulation in your own canton.
- Elected officials, parties, organisations and committed private individuals are free to adopt and adapt all texts.
- Legal notice: The IG Wild beim Wild assumes 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 target the basic structure of recreational hunting in Switzerland: from closed seasons and hunting bans to the pacification of private land. Scientific background, legal foundations (JSG, cantonal hunting acts, TSchG) and arguments can be found in the Dossier: Fundamentals & Hunting in Switzerland →
- Hunting-free private forest: pacifying private property for ethical reasons
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 realignment of cantonal hunting policy
According to current research, fox hunting has no demonstrable population-regulating effect. This motion calls for a cantonally anchored ban based on the Federal Hunting Act (JSG). - Abolition of small game hunting: protecting endangered species from recreational hunting
Several small game species (European hare, grey partridge, Eurasian woodcock) are on Switzerland's Red List. This motion calls for an immediate hunting ban on endangered species. - Ban on Releasing Farmed Animals for Hunting Purposes
Releasing captive-bred animals for hunting purposes creates kill opportunities where no natural population exists. The motion calls for a cantonal ban and a review of huntable species without a confirmed wildlife population. - 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 should be made binding at the cantonal level. - Hunting Rest During Heatwaves and on Burnt Areas
Heatwaves and forest fires affect wild animals at a time when their energy budgets are already at their limit. The motion calls for an automatic hunting pause whenever a heat warning is issued, and a multi-year ban on hunting in burned areas. - Illegal high seats: freeing forests from unchecked hunting infrastructure
Unauthorised high seats and hunting infrastructure unlawfully obstruct public forest areas. The motion calls for systematic inspections and mandatory removal. - Hunting ban following the Geneva model: replacing recreational hunting with professional wildlife management
The canton of Geneva abolished recreational 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 concerned. - Hunting-free zones and pilot area modelled on Geneva
As a first step, defined areas should be made hunting-free for five years in order to scientifically document the ecological and social effects of forgoing hunting. - Curbing recreational 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 wild animal 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 establishment of habitat connectivity in cantonal spatial planning
Wildlife corridors should be enshrined as priority areas in the cantonal structure plan, wildlife bridges should be bindingly incorporated, and kills in fragmented areas should be replaced by spatial planning measures. - Recreational hunting and wildlife diseases: independent examination of the role of hunting in the spread of zoonoses and epidemics
The role of recreational hunting in the spread of wildlife diseases should be independently examined, baiting should be banned, and hygiene requirements tightened. - Right to recreation without confrontation with recreational hunting: ensuring free access to nature for the public
Hunting-free weekends, digital hunting maps, recreational zones and reporting offices should ensure the public's right to undisturbed recreation in forests and nature. - Mandatory biodiversity assessment prior to the issuance of kill permits
Before any kill permit is issued, an independent specialist body should assess the impact of the planned removals on local and regional biodiversity. - Professional game warden corps: expansion and professionalisation of 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 example of the canton of Geneva. - Reform of recreational 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 psychological aptitude assessments 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 unjustified privileges for hunting associations. Background information can be found in the Dossier: Politics, Lobby & Media →
- Curbing hunting propaganda featuring dead animals
Publicly accessible displays of killed wild animals (bags, trophy shows) should be regulated at cantonal level, analogous to existing animal welfare provisions governing the display of animal carcasses. - No hunting propaganda by recreational hunters in schools
Hunting associations must not use public school lessons for uncritical promotion of recreational hunting. The motion 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 motion calls for a review of this classification based on verifiable conservation contributions. - Permit requirement for public hunting events: regulating Hubertus masses, game displays and hunting fairs
Events where killed wild animals are publicly displayed or trophy hunting trips are advertised should be made subject to a cantonal permit requirement. - Transparency on the entanglement of hunting administration and hunting associations: disclosure of dual personal roles
Personal and institutional entanglements between hunting administration and hunting associations should be made transparent, and conflicts of interest prevented through incompatibility rules. - Lobby transparency and recusal obligations in hunting policy decisions
Parliamentarians with hunting-related 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. Types of hunting, safety & technology
These motions address concrete safety risks, health hazards and technical aspects of recreational hunting. Studies, accident statistics and legal foundations in the Dossier: Types of hunting, safety & technology →
- Effectively preventing alcohol and drug consumption during recreational hunting
Unlike in road traffic, most cantons have no binding blood-alcohol limits for people carrying firearms while hunting. The motion calls for regulations analogous to those for driving under the influence. - Recreational hunting and crime: tightening suitability checks, reporting obligations and consequences
Convictions for violent offences should lead to immediate withdrawal of the hunting licence. The motion also calls for mandatory psychological suitability checks when issuing licences. - Lead-free hunting: ban on lead-based ammunition in the canton
Lead-based ammunition demonstrably contaminates wild animal carcasses and the environment. Germany and Austria have already taken steps to restrict its use. The motion calls for a cantonal ban. - Ban on cruel trap hunting and lure hunting
Live-capture traps, glue traps and certain lure hunting methods stand in direct contradiction to the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG Art. 4). The motion 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 is to be regulated through binding minimum distances and a mandatory reporting requirement for hunting events. - Transparent recording of recreational hunters involved in violent crimes
Official statistics do not record whether perpetrators hold a hunting licence or whether hunting weapons were used. The motion calls for systematic data collection and annual publication as a basis for evidence-based violence prevention. - Protection from Domestic Firearm Violence: Hunting Weapons, Recreational Hunters and Femicides
Hunting weapons are involved in a significant number of femicides and domestic violence offences. The motion calls for systematic recording as well as preventive measures regarding weapon ownership among licensed hunters. - Ban on high-tech hunting methods: no thermal imaging cameras, night vision devices or drones in recreational hunting
Thermal imaging cameras, night vision optics, drones and digital calling devices turn recreational 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 keeping controls
Hunting dogs are among the forgotten victims of recreational hunting. The motion calls for a ban on earth hunting with dogs, mandatory reporting of injuries and binding keeping 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, resting zones are to be designated, and the transition to a game warden model is to be examined. - African swine fever: no expansion of recreational hunting under the pretext of disease control
Disease scenarios such as ASF must not be used as a pretext for expanding recreational hunting. Evidence-based disease control instead of expanded kill quotas. - Restriction of wait hunting: baiting ban, night-time wait hunting regulation and resting zones
The baiting of wild animals is to be banned, night stalking regulated, and resting zones made mandatory. - 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 and unconditionally banned. - Regulation of wait hunting: restricting winter hunting in high-mountain corridors
Wait hunting in wildlife corridors and during winter months is to be banned, the list of species restricted, and its abolition examined. - Abolition of the special hunt: transferring it 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 initiatives protect children from images of violence, strengthen animal dignity, and demand transparency about the health risks of game meat. Scientific background 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 is to be regulated in a manner analogous to 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). - Animal-cruelty leisure formats and reptile-keeping fairs
Events that display live or dead animals in a degrading manner are to require cantonal authorisation and be subject to prohibition in the event of violations of the TSchG. - Ban on children and young people taking part in hunting
Minors are actively involved in hunting activities in several cantons. The initiative 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 et seq.) and the protection of minors. - Making the health risks of game meat transparent
Game meat can contain lead residues, parasites and zoonotic pathogens. The initiative calls for mandatory labelling requirements for directly marketed game meat as well as information obligations towards consumers. - Cantonal reporting requirement and statistics for all recreational-hunting victims
A comprehensive, mandatory reporting requirement and a publicly accessible statistic for all personal injuries, property damage and animal injuries connected with recreational hunting are to be introduced. - 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 animal welfare law gap: equal treatment of wild animals under the Animal Welfare Act
Wild animals killed as part of recreational hunting should be subject to the same animal welfare standards as farm animals in slaughterhouses. - Ending leisure-time violence against animals: recognising recreational hunting as a form of leisure-time violence
The cantonal government should examine in a report whether recreational hunting is to be classified as leisure-time violence against animals, and what consequences this would have for cantonal hunting policy.
5. Wolf, predators & politics
These motions are directed against wolf killings, calling for herd protection and the integration of predators into cantonal forestry policy. Studies, figures and legal classification in the Dossier: Wolf, predators & politics →
- Moratorium on Lynx Kills for Genetically Endangered Populations
Several cantons are considering lynx regulations, even though the species is genetically depleted 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 on, or ban on, wolf hunting
Wolf kills in Switzerland are carried out on the basis of the revised JSG (2023), which is criticised by environmental organisations as being incompatible with international protection obligations (Bern Convention). The motion calls for a cantonal moratorium pending a final legal review. - Protecting protective forests from recreational hunting and integrating predators
The presence of wolves and other predators demonstrably reduces browsing pressure in protective forests (trophic cascade). The motion demands that protective forest zones be consistently exempted from recreational hunting. - Herd protection instead of wolf kills: dealing with the wolf in the canton
The motion calls for cantonal funds to be prioritised for effective herd protection measures (livestock guardian dogs, fencing, alpine pasture support) rather than for 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 in cantonal wolf kills
All cantonal decisions on wolf kills must comply with the Bern Convention. International law review, rights of appeal and protection of the wolf as a strictly protected species. - No kill bounties for wild animals
The canton shall not pay any bounties, flat-rate payments or payments in kind for the killing of wild animals. Compensation for regulatory measures shall be calculated solely on the basis of actual effort and disclosed annually. - No wolf kills in game reserves or during the denning period
The canton shall neither request nor authorise interventions in wolf packs within federal game reserves or between 1 February and 31 May, even if federal law permits this in future.
6. Law, Oversight & Alternatives
These initiatives strengthen state oversight, demand transparency in hunting statistics and rely on independent supervision rather than self-regulation by recreational hunters. Legal foundations in the Dossier: Law, Oversight & Alternatives →
- Animal welfare-compliant fencing and pasture netting requirements
Fences and pasture netting cause numerous wild animal injuries and deaths every year. The initiative calls for binding cantonal standards for construction, marking and maintenance in line with the current state of science. - Transparent hunting statistics: disclosing kills, follow-up searches and botched shots
In Switzerland, botched shots (animals that are wounded but not killed) are systematically not recorded. The initiative calls for a complete, cantonally publicly accessible hunting statistic including follow-up searches and loss rates. - Independent Hunting Oversight: External Control Instead of Self-Regulation
In most cantons, control over the correct conduct of hunting lies with the recreational hunters themselves. The initiative calls for a canton-funded supervisory body independent of the recreational hunters. - Removing “cultural landscape” as justification for wild animal kills: ecological facts instead of myths
The blanket reference to “protection of the cultural landscape” as a justification for kill permits should be removed and replaced by evidence-based, ecologically justified criteria. - Monitoring and disclosing follow-up searches
Every missed shot and every follow-up search shall be reported to the wildlife wardens, documented and checked by random sampling. The canton shall publish an annual statistic broken down by animal species and type of hunt.
7. Cantonal Popular Initiatives
In addition to parliamentary initiatives (motions, postulates), IG Wild beim Wild also provides template texts for cantonal popular initiatives. Popular initiatives enable the population to enforce the abolition of recreational hunting directly at the ballot box, without taking the detour via parliament. Background on this in the Dossier: Geneva and the Hunting Ban → and in the Dossier: Hunting Ban Switzerland →
- Cantonal Popular Initiative: Canton of Basel-Stadt
The practice of hunting by private individuals (territorial hunting, recreational 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 recreational hunting, modelled on the canton of Geneva. - Cantonal Popular Initiative: Canton of Basel-Landschaft
The practice of hunting by private individuals (territorial hunting, recreational hunting) is prohibited throughout 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 with Switzerland’s only 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
Licence hunting canton: at 239 km², smaller than Geneva, with only around 230 recreational hunters for approximately 130’000 residents and, as one of the wealthiest cantons, without any cost argument. Professional wildlife protection instead of «loud hunting» with scent hounds. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes
The lowest signature threshold of all cantons with a ballot vote: only 300 signatures required. At 243 km², smaller than Geneva, a licence-hunting canton, with a rural campaign strategy based on the agricultural argument. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Neuchatel
As a canton of French-speaking Switzerland, Neuchatel has direct linguistic and cultural access to the proven Geneva model. Wolf policy in the Jura as a current trigger, Geneva’s experience as a reference, 6’000 signatures in 6 months. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Jura
Second French-speaking canton: Switzerland’s youngest canton with a progressive tradition, lynx territory in the Jura arc, wolf policy in the Jura as an acute trigger. 2’000 signatures, licence hunting, Geneva’s experience as a reference. - 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, funding independent of lease income, 1.05 to 2.05 francs per resident. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Aargau
Densely populated canton of the Mittelland with very low per-capita costs: under one franc per person per year. 3’000 signatures, 174 hunting grounds, territorial hunting, one of Switzerland’s most important beaver cantons. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Thurgau
Lake Constance canton: the abolition of recreational hunting on Lake Geneva multiplied waterfowl numbers 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 only territorial hunting canton in Central Switzerland: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch, wolf on Mount Pilatus, per-capita costs in the range of Geneva’s level. 5’000 signatures, territorial hunting. - Cantonal Popular Initiative: Canton of Zurich
New attempt after 2018: Positive title, transparent cost accounting (0.25 to 0.45 francs per resident), species protection clause, municipal compensation. Lowest per capita costs of all cantons. 6,000 signatures, 6 months, territorial hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Bern
Switzerland's most populous licence hunting canton, bilingual, federal capital effect. Wolf policy in the Oberland as a mobilisation issue. 15,000 signatures, 6 months, per capita costs in the range of the Geneva level. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Fribourg
Bilingual bridge canton between Romandy and German-speaking Switzerland. Modern constitution (2004), Fribourg prealps as wild animal territory. 6,000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of St. Gallen
Most populous canton of eastern Switzerland: Alpstein, wolf policy in the Sarganserland, Lake Constance as a waterfowl area. 8,000 signatures, territorial hunting, per capita costs in the range of the Geneva 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 mobilisation issue. 600 signatures (one of the lowest hurdles), licence hunting. Below the Geneva budget in absolute figures. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Obwalden
Pilatus canton: Wolf as a mobilisation issue, 500 signatures, licence hunting. Below the Geneva budget in absolute figures. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Nidwalden
Almost the same size as Geneva (276 vs. 282 km²): The direct area comparison is communicatively strong. 500 signatures, licence hunting. A fraction of the Geneva budget in absolute figures. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Vaud
Strategically most important canton of Romandy: Direct neighbour of Geneva, largest canton of Romandy, controversial wolf kills as a mobilisation occasion. 12,000 signatures, licence hunting, per capita costs in the range of the Geneva level. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Valais
Epicentre of wolf policy: Politically the most difficult canton, but the greatest media impact. Bilingual, connected to the Lake Geneva basin. 6,000 signatures, licence hunting, one of the largest Alpine cantons. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Grisons
Largest canton in Switzerland: The Swiss National Park has proven natural regulation for over 100 years. Trilingual, strong hunting tradition, wolf policy. 4,000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton Ticino
The only Italian-speaking canton: Opens the third language region for the movement. Wolf in the Sopraceneri, urban base in the Sottoceneri. 10,000 signatures, licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Glarus
Landsgemeinde canton: No signature collection necessary, a memorial motion is sufficient. Open vote, wolf in the Glarnerland, ibex on the Tödi. Licence hunting. - Cantonal popular initiative: Canton of Appenzell Inner Rhodes
The canton with the smallest population in Switzerland, a Landsgemeinde canton: no signature collection required. Smaller than Geneva (173 vs. 282 km²), the Alpstein as wildlife territory. In absolute figures, the lowest costs of all cantons.
8. Federal popular initiative “For professional wildlife protection”
In addition to 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 recreational 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 elaborated constitutional draft (Art. 79a/79b of the Federal Constitution) and can be adopted and politically developed further by parties, organisations and private individuals. The complete proposal, with explanations, cost estimates and a strategy memo, can be accessed here: Federal popular initiative «For professional wildlife protection»
Support & Contact
IG Wild beim Wild is available to mandate holders free of charge and without obligation for the canton-specific adaptation of all template texts.
The collection is being continuously expanded.