Brown hare: federal hunting status
The brown hare is a huntable species under the Hunting Act, federally protected from 1 January to 30 September.
The brown hare (Lepus europaeus), together with the mountain hare and the European rabbit, is listed among the huntable species under Art. 5 para. 1 let. f of the Federal Hunting Act (SR 922.0). The federal protection period runs from 1 January to 30 September; 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 any local restrictions for brown hare are set exclusively by the cantonal hunting regulation in force, to be verified with the relevant cantonal hunting authority.