Emilia-Romagna hunting season and biodiversity reform debate

The hunting season for stationary and migratory game in the Emilia-Romagna region is scheduled to begin on September 20. During the initial period, hunting activities are restricted to Sundays and Thursdays until 1:00 PM.

Starting in October, the schedule will expand to include three elective days per week for roaming hunts and two additional days for migratory game stalking, though Tuesdays and Fridays remain excluded. Specific regulations govern wild boar hunting, which is limited to five days outside of swine fever restriction zones. To enforce safety and environmental protections, hunters must adhere to minimum distance requirements from buildings, roads, and bicycle paths. Compliance will be monitored by 18 morning patrols and two afternoon patrols, consisting of forest police and ecological volunteers.

The commencement of the 2026/2027 season has coincided with intense debate regarding a proposed hunting reform bill (DDL Caccia). Environmental and animal rights organizations, including WWF, LAV, Legambiente, and LIPU, have denounced the legislation as a “sparatutto” (shoot-all) law. These groups argue that the reform, which aims to extend hunting periods and expand the list of huntable species, poses significant risks to biodiversity and may violate European Union conservation obligations. Critics further contend that the expansion of hunting occurs at a vulnerable time for wildlife following extreme heat and drought, warning that the legislative process lacks sufficient scientific consultation.