Overview
- The Hesse reform, which takes effect Wednesday, opens hunting seasons for pine marten (Baummarder), polecat (Iltis), stoat (Hermelin) and least weasel (Mauswiesel).
- The new rules make foxes and raccoons huntable year-round and extend seasons for badger, greylag and Canada geese, and nutria.
- NABU and BUND argue the changes breach EU species law that allows hunting only with a proven favorable conservation status and they are weighing a court challenge.
- Critics point to Hesse’s red list, which classifies the polecat as strongly endangered, and they warn longer bird seasons could violate the EU Birds Directive that forbids hunting during breeding and rearing.
- State minister Ingmar Jung says the overhaul is practical and lawful and notes trap checks can use remote alerts instead of daily on-site visits when certified devices are installed.