Today's Wall Street Journal has a front page story about a voter referendum in Switzerland - this referendum will decide if each canton in the country will have to hire animal lawywers.

Some nut named Antoine Goetschel sued a fisherman for catching a pike, alledging animal cruelty.

Not good news for hunters, or taxpayers. After all, I imagine if the law passes, the lawyer could file suit against a weasel for killing a mouse.

Dumb. Until we all stop eating meat, animals have no rights. And I don't think the day is coming anytime soon we stop eating meat.

Yes, amazing isn't it!! Apparently, the Canton (i.e. federal state) of Zürich has had such "animal lawyers" for years. They are supposedly tasked with ensuring that acts of cruelty against animals are not swept under the carpet. I did not realize this, until the referendum was accepted and debated, which would institute a similar system in all Cantons. It is completely ga-ga!

It appears that an angler experienced the catch of his life one fine day on Lake Zürich. However, since it took a while (reportedly 11 minutes) to land the 20", 25 lbs pike, he was faced with charges of animal cruelty. I know, it sounds completely insane, but there it is. Fortunately, the court dismissed the charge, as the angler had not violated any fishing rules.

All we can hope for, is for the Swiss electorate to stay level headed, and turn this frivolous referendum down. However, one thing about direct democracy is, that you can never be quite sure until the votes are counted...

- mike

Mike,

Is hunting even legal in Switzerland? With that kind of attitude, I would wonder...

I will keep my fingers crossed tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Is hunting even legal in Switzerland? With that kind of attitude, I would wonder...

Yes, hunting is a traditional activity here, and like in most of Central Europe, the hunting culture and regulations borrow heavily from the German tradition.

In particular the mountainous cantons (perhaps being less urbanized?) adhere to their hunting traditions. Case in point, the big game hunting season in the Canton of Graubünden is a yearly highlight. There are at least two members in here who hunt (or have hunted) under that tradition.

Here a picture of an Alpine Ibex from the Swiss Canton of Valais (German: Vallis):




Alas, as society becomes more urbanized, people are removed further and further from traditional country lifestyle. It shows up in some of the whacko ideas around. But I guess Switzerland is just one example of this.

- mike

Mike,

Beautiful picture. That ibex carries its mass well out to the tips.

I am going to Vienna next month on business; our partner there is lining up some hunting. Not sure what is available then, if anything, but looking forward to it.

Good to hear hunting is alive and well in Switzerland. Please post how the referendum turns out tomorrow.

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Please post how the referendum turns out tomorrow.

Thanks.

The proposal for mandatory "animal lawyers" in all Swiss cantons was rejected by approx. 70% of the voters. One in the eye for extreme animal activists...

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Here a picture of an Alpine Ibex from the Swiss Canton of Valais (German: Vallis):


- mike

Perfect trophy!!!Is it yours?

Nope, a friend of mine shot that one. Nice scenery, eh?

There is a small story associated with that hunt. You can apply for a (trophy) alpine ibex in the Canton of Valais. It is NOT inexpensive, and you are normally put on a looong waiting list, and can expect to endure a wait of multiple years.

One summer, it just so happened, that the game keepers of this area spotted an old buck that they judged would not survive for long, and certainly not during the winter. The game department started a campaign to call the hunters on their waiting list, and my friend was the first to be able agree to show up on a short notice.

After that, the hunt for this one particular animal started. As you can see, the game keepers knew their area, and managed to relocate him.

- mike

Season 2010 i make Ibex Hunt!!!!

I Have permitt for one Ibex male 3 1/2 and one Ibex goat. Wait just october......

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Please post how the referendum turns out tomorrow.

Thanks.

The proposal for mandatory "animal lawyers" in all Swiss cantons was rejected by approx. 70% of the voters. One in the eye for extreme animal activists...

- mike

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

another forn the canton the valais, i hunt these ibex in 2005,,,,,,,,,,,,awesome hunt


By mexicanhunter, shot with DCR-HC40 at 2009-08-21


By mexicanhunter, shot with HP oj6100 at 2009-08-21


By mexicanhunter, shot with HP oj6100 at 2008-07-03


best regards

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Nope, a friend of mine shot that one. Nice scenery, eh?

There is a small story associated with that hunt. You can apply for a (trophy) alpine ibex in the Canton of Valais. It is NOT inexpensive, and you are normally put on a looong waiting list, and can expect to endure a wait of multiple years.

One summer, it just so happened, that the game keepers of this area spotted an old buck that they judged would not survive for long, and certainly not during the winter. The game department started a campaign to call the hunters on their waiting list, and my friend was the first to be able agree to show up on a short notice.

After that, the hunt for this one particular animal started. As you can see, the game keepers knew their area, and managed to relocate him.

- mike

Thanks.Mike.
Very interestingly!

AnotherAZWriter,
The referendum instrument in Switzerland is frequently used on a lot of arguments, sometime also on arguments that seems to have little importance.

My words must not be read in a negative way, they are an aseptic analysis of the Swiss situation.

Steve,

They are increasingly popular in the US as well. The problem with them is that everyone has an equal vote, but note everyone is affected equally by the outcome.