Italy: Lazio sets hunting dates amid national legislative debate

The Lazio region has officially released its hunting calendar for the 2026/2027 season. The season is scheduled to run from September 20, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Under the new guidelines, hunters may choose three days per week to hunt, excluding Tuesdays and Fridays. Starting October 1, resident hunters in Lazio will have access to 20 free days for migratory game hunting within regional territorial hunting areas (ATC). The daily limit is set at 20 animals per hunter, with specific species-based restrictions to ensure sustainable wildlife management.

Simultaneously, hunting remains a significant political issue in Italy. The Chamber of Deputies' Agriculture Commission has resumed examining amendments to a controversial hunting bill that was previously approved by the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to shift the legal framework from the “protection” of wildlife to the “management” of wildlife, viewing hunting as a management tool. If passed, the bill could expand hunting activities to public forests, state-owned areas, parks, and beaches, while also making opinions from the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) regarding hunting calendars non-binding.