Piedmont Court Suspends Pre‑Opening of Wood Pigeon Hunting Season

The Piedmont Regional Administrative Court (Tar) issued decree 361/2026 suspending the pre‑opening of the 2026‑27 hunting season for the wood pigeon (colombaccio). The precautionary measure follows a lawsuit filed by the Italian Bird Protection Association (ENPA), the Italian Ornithological Protection Association (OIPA) and the environmental NGO Pro Natura, which argued that an immediate risk to the species justified a temporary ban. The suspension remains in force at least until the court’s collegial hearing scheduled for 9 September 2026, after which the decision may be confirmed or overturned.

The court’s order does not affect the pre‑opening dates already approved for corvid species. Hunters may still pursue black and grey crows, magpies and jays on 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14 September 2026, and during the regular season thereafter. The full updated hunting calendar for Piedmont lists the authorised periods for other game species through early 2027.