Introduction of the New NRW Hunting Law

While conservationists broadly welcome the amendment, hobby hunters have responded with fierce criticism.

It did them no good: even a demonstration by around 15,000 hobby hunters against the new hunting law in NRW failed to persuade the state government to abandon the project. On 29 April, the NRW state parliament approved the amendment with 137 votes in favour, 86 against, and three abstentions. The package contains around 100 amendments and has been in force since May. As a result, the 87’000 hobby hunters will have to adjust their practices in many respects.

Among other things, trap hunting has been made considerably more difficult going forward. Only live traps may now be used, and these must be fitted with an appropriate sensor. When the sensor triggers an alarm, the trap must as a rule be checked without delay.

Earth hunting — in which, for example, foxes were hunted in their dens — has been banned under the new amendments. The den has been declared a particularly protected retreat for animals. Hobby hunters are currently working on designs that provide artificial dens for foxes. “We are trying to ensure that recreational hunting can at least continue inside those,” says hobby hunter Gerhard Thomas.

The most important changes in the new hunting law

1. Ban on killing cats

Until now, shooting was permitted if cats were found more than 200 metres from the edge of a built-up area. In the 2013/2014 hunting year, 7,595 cats were shot in NRW. Illegal shootings of domestic cats also repeatedly caused public outrage. Hobby hunters argued in favor of retaining the right to shoot, on the grounds that stray and feral cats pose a danger to birds and ground-nesting species. Opponents of shooting consider the danger to be overstated and the practice no longer in keeping with the times. They advocate neutering instead.

2. Shooting of dogs remains permitted “in absolute exceptional cases” …

«[…], when other and milder means had not previously been successful». No owner should allow their dog to poach. Yet many people today find shooting to be unbearable. In 2013/2014, 51 dogs were shot in NRW. This repeatedly sparked disputes over whether the dog had actually been poaching or not. The new law will not resolve this problem either. Furthermore, NABU regards the shooting mandate as problematic due to the risk of confusion with the wolves returning to NRW.

3. Ban on earth dog trial facilities, earth hunting, and kill traps

The training of hunting dogs on tame foxes in so-called earth dog trial facilities and on flightless ducks will be prohibited. Likewise, earth hunting — in which dogs are sent into the natural burrows of foxes and badgers — will be abolished. Setting animals against one another is contrary to animal welfare principles. The now-banned use of kill traps was judged in the same light.

4. Release of wild animals only as a habitat management measure

Nature and animal welfare advocates have frequently criticized the mass release of pheasants and mallards in the past. Hundreds of these animals were typically released into the wild in spring and fed, only to be shot a few months later. Release is now subject to approval and is to be permitted only «as a habitat-improving measure» and not merely for the purpose of shooting.

5. Update of the list of huntable species

Over 100 animal species had previously been listed as huntable. This has now been reduced to 29. The word «huntable» is misleading here, as many species have been subject to year-round protection for years — such as all birds of prey, wildcats, and lynxes. Yet even when recreational hunters were not permitted to shoot certain listed species, these animals still fell within their area of responsibility. This is now changing in favor of a new jurisdiction held by nature and animal experts.

6. Recreational hunters must provide proof of shooting proficiency and will in future be permitted to use only lead-free ammunition.

Related dossiers and articles:

• Dossier: Hunting laws and oversight
• Dossier: Earth hunting
• Dossier: Trap hunting
• Dossier: Hunting dogs
• Dossier: Lead ammunition and environmental toxins
• Dossier: The fox in Switzerland
• Dossier: Hunting and animal welfare
• Germany: An end to recreational hunting