Hello Everyone,

I have a question regarding hunting that seems to have started today in our local forest. I walk in the forest every morning to let the dog go mad. It across the road from our apartment. I was a little shocked to see men loading up guns though half way through my walk. I immediately put Bella on the line.

When we emerged from the forest, I noticed a triangle sign warning you of hunting 'jagd' but I am not sure if that means you are not permitted in the forest. That bit wasn't clear.

Does anyone know the rules? Can I walk in the forest at all, obviously dog on lead for fear of being accidently shot?!

How long does the hunting season last?

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The best way to save water is to bathe together

Darkhorsedrea, are you in Pfäffikon SZ or ZH?

Of course you may walk in the woods during hunting season, but you do so with eyes open. For these few weeks per year, those few hours per day be aware that you should take more precautions than usual. Dogs should be on lead in the woods during hunting season - for their own safety, if not by law.

Check with your Gemeinde, ask in which areas and when hunting is permitted, a list of the rules should be available - and avoid those areas/times.

Every year a few cows are mistaken for deer. I don't take chances when on our early morning walks. The mutt wears a reflective vest, and is on lead.

(I'm in SZ, where there is a cantonal on-lead restriction in public places. In ZH, look for signage, and check the local regs.)


ETA:

One should also be aware that most places require dogs to be on lead/in sight and under close control in the woods during the spring as well. This is because the wildlife are caring for their young.

There was a short report in today's 20 minutes about hunters taking pot shots at each as way of a warning "keep out of my patch".
Them's crazy them hunter dudes

I am in Pfäffikon, Zurich. There isn't a strict on load rule. If there is then every darn local doesn't abide by it. I will check with the Germinde to be sure, but if a cow can be mistaken for a dear then my lab hasn't got a chance.

The guy loading up his gun didn't say anything to me so I didn't think much of it, plus he had a dog (OFF LEAD I might add) probably a rat catcher Not a proper gun dog like my Bella

Peace of mind:

http://www.zooplus.de/shop/hunde/hun...orwesten/10351


Or the 'profi' version, priced to match:

http://www.meiko.ch/index.cfm?shopar...08F4F4B191A123


Or from Ruffwear, one of my favorites:

http://www.ruffwear.com/Track-Jacket?sc=2&category=1132



(Call me OTT... )

back in New England there are stories of dogs getting shot pretty much every year and every few years a hunter will shot some poor chap out walking and the story is pretty much always the same "I thought he was a white tail deer, I just saw a flash of white thru the branches"

moral of the story.. go walking if you still want to but invest in some blaze orange for you AND the dog.


EDIT.. and re. walking off the leash?....

years ago I was walking with a few friends around Quabin reservoir.. a large reservoir quite a ways west of Boston that supplies Bostons water.. anyway.. walking and we come to the local historical society that also serves as the local game wardens office and the local sheriff. I don't know if it was the sheriff of the game keeper but there is a guy in there cleaning his rifle... says he's had to go shoot a couple of dogs as every year a few dogs escape their owners... run off into the woods and if they are not captured in time they go feral and form up wild hunting packs

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Champagne don't make me crazy...

Useful information re: hunting in canton ZH:

http://www.aln.zh.ch/internet/baudir.../fjv/Jagd.html

Hmm, I used to have a reflective coat for Bella bought from poundland in the UK. It was an absolute bargin. Alas, after lots of mocking it went in the bin. Time to send family off to poundland again to find one and bring it over next week.

As for me, well I am sure I have a running one somewhere. Although, think I may stick to walking by the 'see' and let Bella swim instead for fear of being accidently shot

Looking through some information, I cannot find out how long the hunting season is for....only that it is happening in most forests around me...??

__________________
The best way to save water is to bathe together

Hunting season can go until the end of December as far as I know (can be shorter or longer depending on the kind of animals around etc.). Usually there are days designated as "Schontage" and Sunday should be "free" too. The Gemeinde/Gamekeeper should be able to tell you more for your location.

I have a friend whose dog was shot in the forest. The dog was not on a lead.

If you don't wear a reflective jacket you'd be best advise to wear some flashy hat:

Funny

That is awful. Ok...so I am totally put off walking in the forest now. Its too risky.

Just take you gun with you for self defense. Also if you see hunters, shout "feuern" so that they think there's a fire and get distracted.