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Swiss Hunting Exam Practice Test (Jagdprüfung) 2026

In Switzerland each canton runs its own hunting exam (Jagdprüfung), with a theory part and a shooting and weapon handling part. This practice covers the subjects common to the cantons, safe firearm handling, ethics and wildlife, and uses canton Zurich as a worked example. It is safety education, not a copy of any cantonal exam.

  • Hunting
  • Switzerland
  • 60 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

Pass mark: Set by each canton. Example: in canton Zurich the theory exam needs at least 75% of the maximum points, and a safety-relevant weapons error means failure. It is run by Cantonal hunting administrations (each canton sets its own exam). Minimum age: 18 (some cantons set a higher age). Practise here for free with 60 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Swiss Hunting Exam Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which federal law sets the framework for hunting in Switzerland?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Federal Hunting Act (Jagdgesetz, JSG) of 1986

    The Federal Act on Hunting and the Protection of Wild Mammals and Birds sets the framework; the cantons organise hunting within it.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Who organises hunter training and the hunting exam (Jagdprüfung) in Switzerland?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Each canton

    Hunting is regulated by the cantons, which run their own training and exams.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What does passing a cantonal hunting exam give you?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hunting eligibility (Jagdfähigkeit) in that canton

    Passing the exam makes you eligible to hunt. You then get a permit or join a hunting society, depending on the canton's system.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What are the two main hunting systems in Swiss cantons?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Patent hunting and territory (Revier) hunting

    In patent cantons you buy a hunting permit; in Revier cantons you hunt as a member of a hunting society that leases a territory.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How do you get the right to hunt in a patent canton?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. By buying a hunting permit (Jagdpatent) from the canton

    Patent cantons sell permits to people who have passed the hunting exam.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    How do you usually get the right to hunt in a Revier canton?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. By joining a hunting society (Jagdgesellschaft) that leases a territory

    In Revier cantons, hunting societies lease territories, and members hunt there.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which canton uses the territory (Revier) system?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Zurich

    Revier cantons include Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau and Zurich.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Which canton uses the patent system?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Graubünden

    Patent cantons include Bern, Fribourg, Graubünden, Ticino, Valais, Vaud and several central Swiss cantons.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What is the minimum age to take a hunting exam, according to the national hunters' association?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 18, and some cantons set a higher age

    JagdSchweiz says applicants must be 18, and some cantons have a higher limit.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    About how many active hunters are there in Switzerland?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 30,000

    JagdSchweiz counts about 30,000 active hunters, about 5% of them women.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Which subject is part of the theory exam in Swiss cantons?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hunting law

    The theory covers wildlife and nature, game management and dogs, hunting law, hunting practice and firearms.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the practical part of a Swiss hunting exam usually made of?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A shooting test and firearm handling

    Cantons test safe weapon handling and shooting accuracy as well as theory.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What do most cantons ask hunters to prove each year?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. That they have practised shooting (proof of shooting skill)

    Cantons usually require a yearly proof of shooting practice before hunting.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    You passed your hunting exam in one canton and want to hunt in another. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Check with the other canton's hunting authority

    Some cantons recognise each other's exams, but not all. Each canton decides.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Which foreign hunting licences do some Swiss cantons recognise?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. German, Austrian and Liechtenstein licences

    JagdSchweiz notes that some cantons recognise hunting licences from Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    In canton Zurich, what is the first step to becoming a hunter?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pass a theory exam and a shooting exam to become a trainee (Anwärter)

    Zurich's training has two parts: first the theory and shooting exams, then a training period in a Zurich Revier.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    How long must a trainee (Anwärter) in Zurich train in a Revier before the practical hunting exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least two years

    After at least two years of training as an Anwärter, you can take the practical Jagdprüfung.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Which textbook is used for the Zurich theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Jagen in der Schweiz

    The theory exam is based on the current edition of 'Jagen in der Schweiz' and on hunting law.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What score is needed to pass Zurich's theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 75% of the maximum points

    The Zurich exam regulation sets a pass mark of at least 75% of the possible points.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    How is Zurich's hunting theory exam taken?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As a digital multiple-choice test

    Candidates take a digital multiple-choice test and bring their own laptop or tablet.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    In Zurich, within what time must the shooting exam be passed after the theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Within two years, with up to 4 attempts

    If you do not pass the shooting exam within two years, the theory exam is no longer valid.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    In Zurich's shooting exam, how many hits are needed on the standing roe deer target at 100 m?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 6 hits from 6 shots

    Each of the six shots must hit and score at least 8 points.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    In Zurich's shooting exam, how many hits are needed on the running boar target at 40 m?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 4 hits from 4 shots

    All four shots must hit, scoring at least 3 points each.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    In Zurich's shotgun test on a moving target, how many hits are needed?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 7 hits from 10 shots

    The shotgun programme at about 30 m needs 7 hits from 10 shots.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Which weapons must candidates handle in Zurich's weapon handling test?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Their own weapons plus a revolver and a pistol

    The handling test covers the candidate's own weapons and also revolver and pistol.

What to know before the test

  • Hunting is regulated by the cantons. Passing a cantonal hunting exam gives you hunting eligibility; then you buy a permit (patent cantons) or join a hunting society (Revier cantons).
  • The theory usually covers wildlife and nature, game management and dogs, hunting law, hunting practice and firearms; the practical part tests shooting and weapon handling.
  • Revier cantons are Aargau, both Basels, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau and Zurich; most other cantons use the patent system.
  • In canton Zurich you first pass a theory and shooting exam to become a trainee, train for at least two years in a Revier, then take the practical hunting exam.
  • Zurich's theory exam is a digital multiple-choice test based on the textbook 'Jagen in der Schweiz' and needs at least 75% of the points.
  • Most cantons require hunters to prove their shooting practice every year.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one hunting licence for all of Switzerland?

No. Each canton runs its own exam and decides whether to recognise exams from other cantons. Check with the hunting authority of the canton where you want to hunt.

How many questions are on the hunting theory exam?

It differs by canton, and the published Zurich rules do not give a question count. The mock exam here uses 40 questions with a 75% pass line, the pass mark Zurich uses.

What is the minimum age?

The national hunters' association says applicants must be 18, and some cantons set a higher age.

How long does it take to become a hunter in Zurich?

You pass the trainee theory and shooting exams, then train for at least two years in a Zurich Revier before the practical exam, which must be taken within six years of the trainee exam.

What happens if I make a safety mistake in the exam?

In Zurich, a safety-relevant weapons error means you fail, and an accidental discharge in the handling test is grounds for failing.

Sources

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