AfD calls for year-round hunting of young wolves in Rhineland-Palatinate

The AfD parliamentary group in Rhineland-Palatinate is calling for hunting of wandering young wolves all year round. To protect grazing animals, older problem wolves that have killed livestock should also be able to be shot from the beginning of November to the end of February, said MP Bernhard Cürten in Mainz.

The new state hunting law must create security for hunters. To this end, clear hunting and closed seasons for wolves should be set. The animals should not only be viewed from a nature conservation perspective; regulated management to protect grazing animals is required. The wolf is now considered a huntable species under EU and federal law.

The new state hunting law should come into effect next spring

According to the plans of Forestry, Environment and Agriculture Minister Christine Schneider (CDU), the amendment to the state hunting law should come into force in April. The hearing for the law and regulation is ongoing, and the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament should deal with it for the first time by February at the latest.

According to the draft law, the upper hunting authority should develop a management plan for the wolf population for the entire country, which the lower hunting authorities must implement. There are currently 13 adult wolves in Rhineland-Palatinate, but there could be more in the next few years.

So-called problem wolves can therefore be hunted after they have killed livestock under certain conditions and with a view to protecting the herd. The shooter should be anonymized in order to protect him.

Include gray herons, cormorants and the golden jackal in hunting laws

The opposition faction is also in favor of gray herons, cormorants and golden jackals being subject to hunting law in the future with hunting and closed seasons. Gray herons and cormorants threatened fishing and pond farming. When it comes to the golden jackal, it is about early scientific monitoring of the population development and proactive wildlife management.