The cantonal licence, from 19 years old
Anyone who wants to hunt needs a cantonal licence, issued only to people aged 19 and of sound judgement.
The hunting ordinance (JagdV, GDB 651.11) of 25 January 1991 sets out the mechanics. Its article 6 is direct: whoever wants to hunt needs a cantonal hunting licence. It goes only to people who have turned 19 and are of sound judgement, and who hold either the cantonal aptitude certificate or one recognised by reciprocity. The ordinance also assigns to the administration the issuing of licences and aptitude certificates, the preparation of the hunting plan and statistics, the initial and continuing training of wardens, hunting supervisors and hunters, the setting of compensation for game damage, and admission to special culls in federal reserves. The hunting commission advises the government, the department and the Amt für Wald und Landschaft on all significant hunting and wildlife-protection questions; it must always be heard before the forest-wildlife concept is adopted or amended.