Badger: federal hunting status
The badger is a huntable species under the Hunting Act, federally protected from 16 January to 15 June.
The badger (Meles meles) is listed among the huntable species under Art. 5 para. 1 let. i of the Federal Hunting Act (SR 922.0). The federal protection period runs from 16 January to 15 June; outside this window, hunting remains possible subject to cantonal law. Cantons may extend this protection period or reduce the list of huntable species (Art. 5 para. 4 of the Hunting Act); with the prior consent of the competent federal department (DETEC), they may also temporarily shorten this protection period (Art. 5 para. 5 of the Hunting Act). Opening dates and hunting conditions for badger are set exclusively by the cantonal hunting regulation in force, to be verified with the relevant cantonal hunting authority.