Enter a search term above and press Enter to start the search. Press Esc to cancel.

Hunting

Zernez: Missing Hobby Hunter Found Lifeless

In Zernez, a missing hobby hunter was found lifeless in the night leading into Monday. The Cantonal Police of Graubünden is investigating the circumstances of the death together with the public prosecutor's office.

Editorial Wild beim Wild — 16. September 2024

The 33-year-old had left the hunting cabin in the Alp Munt area at 10:30 p.m.

When he did not return after some time, his two companions alerted the operations centre of the Cantonal Police of Graubünden and began searching.

Shortly after 1 a.m., the missing hobby hunter was found lifeless on steep terrain.

Hunting is always a form of war against living beings, in which the negative traits of human nature come to the fore. Wildlife lives in a landscape of fear. Out of fear of hobby hunters, many wild animals have permanently abandoned their natural habitat. They avoid open fields and increasingly seek refuge in the protection of forests. This retreat into the forest intensifies during the hunting season. Hunting thus contributes significantly to restricting the freedom of movement of wild animals, leaving them with less habitat, and potentially causing excessive damage to crops.

It is now known that in Graubünden and elsewhere, the primary concern is — much like in a travel agency— the organisation of attractive hunts, planned by the Office for Hunting and Nonsense in Graubünden.

The number of violations of hunting legislation and the numerous reports filed with the district offices speak a clear language of criminal energy. Recreational hunting is simply criminal. It is just that our legal system has not yet progressed to the point of reflecting this in criminal law.

Six mountain rescuers, a helicopter rescue specialist, an on-site incident commander from the SAC, a Rega crew, and several specialists from the Graubünden cantonal police were deployed in the search operation. The Care Team Grischun was called in to support the relatives.

According to IG Wild beim Wild, annual medical-psychological assessments for hobby hunters are needed, modelled on the Dutch system, as well as an upper age limit. The largest age group among hobby hunters is 65+, those with age-related, cognitive, visual, concentration and reaction impairments, as well as training and practice deficits. From the age of 45, the number of accidents rises dramatically. The alarming reports of hunting accidents and fatal crimes involving hunters' weapons make it clear: it is high time to abolish hobby hunting! Lethal firearms must not be placed in the hands of senile hobby hunters who can use them in a completely uncontrolled manner!

More on the topic of hobby hunting: In our dossier on hunting we compile fact-checks, analyses and background reports.

Support our work

With your donation you help protect animals and give them a voice.

Donate now