Chamois: federal hunting status
The chamois is a huntable species under the federal hunting act, protected from 1 January to 31 July; exact dates remain cantonal.
The chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is listed among the huntable species under Art. 5 para. 1 let. e of the Federal Act of 20 June 1986 on Hunting and the Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds (Hunting Act, SR 922.0). Federal law sets a protection period for this species from 1 January to 31 July; outside this window, hunting remains possible subject to cantonal law. Cantons may extend this protection period or reduce the list of huntable species on their territory (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, hunting zones and any quotas applicable to chamois are therefore set exclusively by the cantonal hunting regulation in force, to be verified with the relevant cantonal hunting authority.