Should we change the practice of hunting in France? THE WEEKLY CHASSONS.COM NEWSLETTER

We can no longer hide behind our little finger. Yes, hunting accidents have been declining for over twenty years. Yes the hunting license has evolved, yes, the new hunters are well trained and are the cause of few hunting accidents in France. Yes, finally, hunters will now benefit from training every ten years. We can't say that hunters haven't taken the bull by the horns when it comes to hunting safety.

But it's not enough. Hunters must realize that from now on, each accident directly causes a national impact on all the media. The hunting accident that took place this weekend in Ile-et-Vilaine is a striking example. BFM TV, Le Dauphiné Libéré, France Info, Le Figaro, Le Monde, TF1, more than thirty media relayed the information. We can no longer compare hunting accidents with road accidents, accidental deaths in the mountains or on bicycles.

In the media, the hunters are already strongly criticized by their actions of the causes of a deficit of image and understanding. Hunters and nature actors know the ecological value of hunting but not the general public. And for a general public already far removed from the reality of nature, hunting accidents are difficult to understand (1 person out of 2 does not understand the interest of hunting in France).

So what to do? Sit back and wait? Wait for the next crash? If to err is human and will always remain so, maybe it's time for us to change our practices? How would you tell me? By looking at what is being done among our European friends. In Germanic and Nordic countries, the hunting license test includes a precision shooting test. Why couldn't we do the same by setting up an “elimination” shooting test on the vital areas of the game? Couldn't we make an annual session at cinetir or running boar compulsory for each hunter? This would allow better training and would correct the shortcomings of certain shooters in handling their weapons (position of the body, adjustment of the weapon, advice for the choice of ammunition or optics, etc.). So, yes, I hear already the echoes of some, “let's stop bothering the French”, “there will be fewer hunters”, “we are going to lose half of our workforce. But, we have to take the lead, otherwise it will be too late.

Already attacked on traditional hunts (justifiable by those who have the intelligence to understand this mode of hunting) or by certain practices which are now difficult to justify in the 21st century (such as the tables of several dozen wild boars in certain enclosures), hunters must be beyond reproach. The establishment of an eliminatory shooting event is therefore not incongruous. You also have to move with the times. Indeed, we have never practiced so much big game hunting in France. With no less than a million and a half carcasses to be cut each year, it is still preferable to try to place good bullets for venison (most game dealers refuse carcasses with bullets causing too much damage). important). It is therefore already necessary to shoot better to favor the short circuit. Finally, at this event, we could also imagine the obligation of venison training for new hunters, thus making it possible to promote the flow of game. We can no longer wait for Europe or our governments to continue to gradually restrict the practice of hunting. Society evolves, we must evolve with it and even more, we must take the lead so that we no longer need to respond to attacks, we must get ahead of them! A good hearer!

Baudouin of Saint-Leger