Red deer: federal hunting status
Red deer is a huntable species under the Hunting Act, federally protected from 1 February to 31 July.
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is listed among the huntable species under Art. 5 para. 1 let. a of the Federal Hunting Act (SR 922.0). The federal protection period runs from 1 February 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 (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, culling plans and quotas for red deer are set exclusively by the cantonal hunting regulation in force, to be verified with the relevant cantonal hunting authority.