The 19th century must be called the low period for game in Switzerland. The red deer and the ibex had already been wiped out, and the chamois and the roe deer could only survive in small pockets. Although game reserves had already been designated in individual cantons in the 16th and 17th centuries, the institution of «game reserves» first became really useful in 1875, after the first Federal Law on Hunting came into force.

It is only now that we can really appreciate what a crucial role the designation of such protection zones played in the development of deer populations. With the increase in these populations, the surplus game migrated into areas open to hunting. In various cantons, hunting is even now «supplied» in this way. However, the down side is that in some places the populations increased so greatly, that the game caused damage to protected wooded areas.
On the other hand, we now have to live with the fact that together with other species the capercaillie, the rock partridge and the hazel grouse are directly threatened by extinction. Together with the provisions for the protection of these endangered species, which are becoming more and more important, it is becoming obvious that, in the future, federal game reserves will continue to play a very important role, which should not be underestimated, and that their existence will still be fully justified.