Schaffhausen expands hunting rules with sika deer now in season

A non-native species joins the hunt. How Schaffhausen's new rules—and a federal night ban—reshape wildlife management for 300 amateur hunters.

, and Administrator

2026 May 5 . 5:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows an open book with a drawing of a group of people on it. The book is titled "The... — The image shows an open book with a drawing of a group of people on it. The book is titled "The Book of Hunting" and contains text and pictures. The people in the drawing appear to be hunting, with some of them wearing hunting gear and others wearing cloaks. The background of the image is a lush green landscape with trees and mountains in the distance.

Schaffhausen expands hunting rules with sika deer now in season

The canton of Schaffhausen has updated its hunting regulations, adding sika deer to the list of huntable species. This non-native animal, originally from East Asia, can now be hunted from August to January. The changes come alongside a broader federal ban on night hunting in forests, set to begin in 2025. Schaffhausen operates a lease-based hunting system, dividing the region into 44 districts with eight-year terms. Around 300 amateur hunters, mostly men, participate in the programme. According to the president of Jagd Schaffhausen, the gender ratio among recreational hunters stands at roughly 20 to 1.

The canton imposes a 10 percent levy on lease fees, which helps fund wildlife management. When damage occurs, the costs are split evenly between the hunting associations and the canton. This means amateur hunters cover a significant portion of the expenses. Local huntable species include roe deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, geese, hares, and various birds. With 42 percent forest cover, Schaffhausen ranks among Switzerland’s most wooded regions. The area already had its own night hunting restrictions before the federal ban was announced by the Conference for Forests, Wildlife, and Landscape (KWL).

The new rules extend the hunting season for sika deer while reinforcing existing nighttime restrictions. The financial burden of wildlife damage remains largely on amateur hunters through lease fees and cost-sharing agreements. These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to balance conservation and hunting practices in the region.