Federal Inventory of Swiss Game Reserves

Description

Swiss game reserves have existed since 1875. They were used to increase stocks of chamois, red deer, roe deer, and ibex (hoofed game), which had become scarce at the time due to hunting and competition from livestock. The current situation is marked not only by high, partially altered hoofed game stocks and problems related to hoofed game, but also by the decline of more susceptible species like capercaillie, rock partridge and European hare. On 1 April 1988, the Federal Act on the Hunting and Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds (HuntA, 20 June 1986) was enacted. In addition, the Ordinance on Game Reserves introduced in 1962 was amended. Today, this legislation aims at regulating the stocks of red deer, roe deer, chamois and ibex, and protecting and promoting rare species and their habitats. This inventory contains 42 reserves, which have been partially modified since 1992.