Black grouse: federal hunting status (male only)
Only the male black grouse is huntable under the Hunting Act, protected from 1 December to 15 October; the female is protected year-round.
The black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) has a federal status that differs by sex. Only the male (cock) is listed among the huntable species under Art. 5 para. 1 let. l of the Federal Hunting Act (SR 922.0), with a federal protection period from 1 December to 15 October. The female (hen) is not mentioned in this list and therefore remains protected year-round under Art. 7 para. 1 of the Act. Cantons may extend the male's 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, zones and quotas applicable to male black grouse are set exclusively by the cantonal hunting regulation in force, to be verified with the relevant cantonal hunting authority.