Marche region wins Council of State ruling on hunting calendar

The Italian Council of State has ruled in favor of the Marche region regarding its 2025/2026 hunting calendar. The decision upholds the regional government's choice to keep the hunting season for woodcock and various thrush species open until January 31.

The legal dispute began when environmental associations challenged the regional calendar, leading a regional administrative court (TAR Marche) to initially order the season to close earlier, on January 10, 2026. However, the Council of State has now overturned that ruling.

Giacomo Bugaro, the regional assessor for hunting, described the ruling as “historic,” noting that it establishes a significant precedent for other Italian regions. A key aspect of the judgment is the recognition that opinions provided by the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) are not binding. The court affirmed that regions may deviate from ISPRA's guidance provided their decisions are adequately motivated by technical and scientific evidence.