Swiss canton defies federal night hunting ban to protect wild boar control
A new federal ban on night hunting in forests has sparked controversy in Schaffhausen, a heavily wooded Swiss canton. The rule, set to begin on 1 February 2025, was introduced by the Conference for Forests, Wildlife, and Landscape (KWL). Local authorities, however, have openly resisted the change, raising concerns about its impact on wild boar control.
Schaffhausen, where 42 percent of the land is covered in forest, relies on a structured hunting system. The canton divides its territory into 44 leased districts, each managed for eight-year terms. Huntable species range from roe deer and wild boar to foxes, badgers, and various birds—including the non-native sika deer, which has an extended season from August to January.
The financial model of the system encourages high culling rates. Hunting associations aim to maximise kills to avoid future costs, creating a cycle of intensive hunting. In 2024 alone, 478 wild boars were hunted in the canton, a figure now under scrutiny due to the night ban. Local opposition to the federal rule has been vocal. The head of Schaffhausen's hunting and fisheries department, alongside the hunting association president, presented a united front against the ban. Even the cantonal official responsible for enforcing hunting regulations is himself an active hunter, adding to the tension between local and national policies. Hunting in Schaffhausen remains a male-dominated activity. Of the roughly 300 amateur hunters, the gender ratio stands at about 20 men to every woman. The canton has hinted at seeking exceptions for wild boar hunting but has not yet released data on 2025 activities or comparisons to previous years.
The night hunting ban has forced Schaffhausen to reconsider its approach to wildlife management. While the canton explores possible exemptions for wild boar, the financial incentives and local resistance complicate compliance. The outcome will likely shape future hunting practices in one of Switzerland's most forested regions.
