Zurich: First canton to ban alcohol for amateur hunters

A good day for foxes, deer and other wild animals: The Zurich cantonal council passed a new hunting law in its first reading on Monday.

It ends fox hunting, restricts driven hunts, enables wildlife resting zones, and prohibits recreational hunters from consuming alcohol.

In the neighboring canton of Thurgau, hunting in fox dens has been banned for three years. Now Zurich wants to follow suit. The cantonal council decided in its first reading to prohibit this controversial hunting method. In fox or badger den hunting, dogs are sent into fox or badger dens to drive the wild animals out, directly into the sights of the recreational hunter.

The ban on this controversial hunting method was uncontested on Monday. The restriction of driven hunts also received broad support. Driven hunts, also known as battues, are primarily used to reduce the wild boar population. The boars are startled with noise and driven towards the recreational hunters.

Dogs must be kept on a leash.

The building authority will be able to limit the number of hunting events in the future. Under the Green Party's building director, Martin Neukom, the authority will also have a say in the number of recreational hunters, beaters, and dogs. Furthermore, the new law will completely prohibit hunting endangered species such as the European hare and the woodcock.

To prevent disturbing young wild animals, dogs will be required to be on a leash in and along forest edges during the spring. The cantons of Aargau, Lucerne, and Schaffhausen already have such a leash requirement.

The new hunting law also establishes wildlife sanctuaries. These zones can then be temporarily closed to human forest users such as bikers or orienteering runners. Those who violate these restrictions can be fined. Furthermore, the building authority can now intervene if wildlife corridors are obstructed, for example by fences.

According to the wishes of the Zurich Environmental Alliance, hobby hunters should now also help with nature conservation.

Anyone caught drinking will lose their license.

The days of enjoying a warming coffee with schnapps while waiting for game will soon be over for hobby hunters: Anyone who hunts will only be allowed to do so in a sober state.

Anyone caught hunting while drunk, under the influence of drugs or medication should lose their hunting license, the council decided. Council members from across the political spectrum agreed that only sober individuals should be allowed to handle firearms.

In addition, medical-psychological assessments are needed for hobby hunters – following the example of the Netherlands – as well as an upper age limit.

IG Wild beim Wild

Are foreigners allowed to become police wardens?

The Swiss People's Party (SVP) drew a red line with the proposal that a foreigner with a permanent residence permit could also assume the office of precinct supervisor. They threatened to reject the law if this proposal were adopted, arguing that it constitutes a sovereign function. " No one can enforce Swiss law or legislation who is not a Swiss citizen ," explained Ueli Bamert (SVP, Zurich).

Specifically, the focus is primarily on Germans or Austrians with a connection to hunting, explained WAK President Bloch. Jasmin Pokerschnig (Greens, Zurich) pointed to the other requirements that must be met: a good reputation, a Zurich hunting license, and passing the corresponding examination. " Leave your own territory ," she urged. " This is about determining the best person for this position."

The vote ended in a tie, 82 to 82. This was partly because the EVP (Evangelical People's Party) voted with the center-right parties for once. Council President Roman Schmid (SVP, Opfikon) cast the deciding vote. Therefore, only Swiss citizens can assume the role of precinct supervisor.

In summary, the new law incorporates a whole range of animal welfare and environmental concerns. " Not all hunters will like the new law," said GLP cantonal councilor Melissa Näf (Bassersdorf). Those who are more traditional, in particular, might have difficulties with it.

The majority of the council, however, believed that the hunting law from 1929 urgently needed to be updated. Although the existing law has been partially revised several times, it is now outdated, particularly regarding wildlife protection. The second reading and final vote will take place in four weeks.

These are the most important additional rules in the new hunting law:

• The practice of hunting dogs in fox or badger dens, long criticized by animal welfare organizations, will be banned. This involves sending dogs into fox or badger dens to drive the animals out.
• The responsible department of the building authority can now limit the number of driven hunts – including battues – in order to keep disturbance in the forest to a minimum.
• The protection of habitats is explicitly mentioned, with the cantonal building authority designating wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife corridors. It can also designate temporary wildlife resting zones for specific areas. Those engaged in sports or recreation are temporarily prohibited from entering these zones.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash in the forest and at the forest edge between the beginning of April and the end of July.
• The responsible hunters are permitted to shoot stray dogs if the directorate has previously issued a written warning to the owner. They are also allowed to shoot feral cats found more than 300 meters away from the nearest residential or commercial building in the forest or a nature reserve. This will, according to experience, be extremely rarely necessary, explained Director of Public Works Martin Neukom (Greens). In the last ten years, this has occurred approximately five times.
• Hunting grounds are no longer auctioned off, but allocated at a fixed price.
• The training and further education of hunters will be given even greater emphasis.