Eurasian woodcock: federal hunting status
The Eurasian woodcock is huntable under the federal Hunting Act, with a closed season from 15 December to 15 September; the exact dates remain cantonal.
The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is listed among the huntable species in Article 5(1)(p) 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 closed season for this species from 15 December to 15 September; outside that window hunting remains possible subject to cantonal law. Cantons may extend the closed season or shorten the list of huntable species on their territory (Art. 5(4)); with the prior consent of the competent federal department (DETEC) they may also temporarily shorten the closed season (Art. 5(5)). Opening dates, hunting grounds and any quotas therefore depend exclusively on the cantonal rules in force, to be checked with the cantonal hunting authority.