New hunting laws in Carinthia: relief for hunters and game protection!

On February 7, 2025, numerous changes in the Hunting Act were unanimously decided in the Carinthian state parliament, which enable a fundamental relief for wreathing wild animals. The amendment, which was presented by hunting officer Martin Gruber, introduces additional regulations to make hunting more contemporary and effective. Among other things, special lighting facilities and electronic image amplifiers will be used for successful hunt, which is particularly important in the fight against the African swine fever, as orfonline.at reported.

A significant innovation is the expansion of the use of night target devices, which in addition to wild boar can also be used for hunting beavers, otter and gold jackals. The state government has the option of regulating this through appropriate regulations. In addition, the duration of protective times for protected species such as otter and beaver was extended from two to five years to offer hunters more legal clarity. The possibility of reducing damage caused by gold jackals and raccoons was also regulated; In the future, these animals may be caught or killed if this is necessary, such as kaernner-jaegerschaft.at highlights.

more efficient hunting methods and new regulations

In addition to the extensions of the hunting opportunities, the novella also provides for changes in the use of high seats and hunting devices. In the future, mobile and lockable high seats may also be used in order to better meet the weather conditions. There will also be innovations in relation to the electronic report of hunting exits that are intended to reduce the administrative effort. All messages will have to be made electronically via the hunting information system in the future.

A uniform regulation for dog owners was also discussed: In the future, the government will be able to determine nationwide when dogs must be kept on a leash to protect the wild animals. These comprehensive adjustments should not only simplify the hunting company, but also improve the cooperation between hunters and landowners, which, according to Gruber, is of great importance for the protection of game stocks and the forests.