Wallis hunting season sees increase in red deer and chamois

In the Swiss canton of Wallis, the 2026 high hunting season resulted in an increase in red deer and chamois numbers compared to 2025. Specifically, 1,607 red deer were harvested, up from 1,427 the previous year, and 1,617 chamois were harvested, compared to 1,537 in 2025.

Favorable weather conditions and summer droughts contributed to these figures. While the red deer harvest fell slightly short of the planned 1,700, professional wildlife management will conduct additional culls in areas where forest regeneration and wildlife damage are concerns. To protect chamois populations from predators like wolves and lynx, strict regulations remain in place, including protections for 2.5-year-olds and females, as well as restrictions on the number of adult males per hunter in specific regions.