Schonzeiten

Schonzeiten, or closed seasons, are legally mandated periods during which hunting of certain wildlife species is prohibited. They are a core instrument of wildlife management in many European countries and elsewhere, designed to protect animals during critical life stages—especially breeding, nesting, and rearing of offspring—so populations can reproduce and recover. The exact dates, duration, and species covered are defined by national or regional regulations and can change from year to year. Official hunting calendars or legislation specify when a species is under the Schonzeit.

In practice, different species carry different Schonzeiten. Birds often have closed seasons in spring and early summer to protect nesting and fledging. Mammals may be restricted mainly during late winter or spring, while some regions designate protected statuses with no general season for particular species. Exceptions may exist for population management, research, or local emergency measures, and seasonal rules can be adjusted based on conservation data.

Enforcement and penalties: Hunting during the Schonzeit is generally illegal and subject to penalties such as fines, license suspension or revocation, and confiscation of equipment. Hunters are expected to consult official calendars, carry required licenses, and comply with seasonal restrictions, bag limits, and other regulations.

Context: Schonzeiten form part of a broader framework of sustainable wildlife management, alongside bag limits, hunting-method restrictions, habitat protection, and international agreements on migratory species. They are periodically reviewed with input from stakeholders and updated to reflect population data and conservation priorities.