Polish hunting law reform debate

The citizen-led legislative project ‘Uwaga! Polowanie’ has entered a phase of public consultations within the Sejm. The proposed amendments to the Hunting Law focus on stricter management of game animal populations through several significant restrictions.

Key proposals include increasing the minimum distance for shooting near buildings from 150 meters to 700 meters, though property owners could consent to a reduction back to 150 meters. The draft also seeks to prohibit night hunting using thermal imaging or night vision, ban the use of beaters, and prohibit feeding or baiting animals without approval from an environmental director.

To increase oversight, the initiative introduces mandatory medical and psychological examinations for hunters every five years, stricter penalties for hunting under the influence of alcohol, and the creation of a public register for hunting and management activities. Additionally, the Minister of Environment would be required to review the list of game species at least once every five years.

While the Polish Hunting Association (PZŁ) has previously opposed the project on constitutional and economic grounds, various regional branches of the association have issued specific positions regarding these detailed legislative changes.