Not sure what to think about this so I'm hoping ukb will tell me.
A major ice climbing area in Maltatal in Austria has had access banned because of wildlife protection, and the DAV (i.e. me, as one half a millionth of it) doesn't like it. Article
here in German - google translate might be of some help.
On the one hand, I hope we can mostly agree that genuine wildlife protection is more important than us having our fun. One doesn't hear much about people protesting against bird bans on cliffs in the nesting season, either in the UK or over here.
But the DAV is generally sensible about such things, so if they're protesting this case they presumably think something about it is different. It's being presented as a hunters vs climbers & ramblers story. And we have plenty of experience in the UK with glorious Mass Trespasses and the like against hunting interests selfishly trying to keep large tracts of land to themselves.
On the other hand however, hunting interests in Germany and Austria - unlike in the UK - tend not to be wealthy absentee landlords but local guys with a genuine interest in nature conservation on their turf.
This argument has more aspects to it than I have hands available: on the other other hand, local government in rural areas dominated by a cabal of good ole boys hostile to outsiders is not something to be encouraged, whether or not said good ole boys are rich.
