Wild ducks: federal hunting status
Wild ducks is huntable under the federal Hunting Act, with a closed season from 1 February to 31 August; the exact dates remain cantonal.
Wild ducks (Anatidae) are listed among the huntable species in Article 5(1)(o) 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 these species from 1 February to 31 August; 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. Article 5(2) expressly protects, among the wild ducks, wild geese, the common and ruddy shelduck, mergansers and swans, as well as the marbled teal, Steller's eider, harlequin duck, white-headed duck, Barrow's goldeneye and red-crested pochard.