Do walkers have to wear hi-vis during hunting season in France?
An online rumour suggests the rules for hunters could be extended to the wider public
Hunters are the only ones required to wear hi-vis clothing while hunting, but it could be a good idea for others to wear it too
Maksim Safaniuk / Shutterstock
Ministers have denied claims that they are planning to make it mandatory for walkers and other countryside users to wear hi-visibility (hi-vis), fluorescent clothing during hunting season in France.
The Ministry for Ecological Transition denied the claim on Thursday November 7, after rumours of the change began to spread on social media.
The rumour appears to have come from an article published at the beginning of November on the specialist sporting website u-trail.com. It also suggested that anyone who did not comply with the law would be liable for a fine of up to €150.
The ministry has denied these claims.
“The Ministry of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention denies in the strongest possible terms the rumour circulating on social networks indicating the forthcoming publication of a decree imposing the compulsory wearing of fluorescent clothing for walkers and hikers during the hunting season from 1 January 2025,” it said in a press release, reported by BFMTV.
“This rumour is completely unfounded,” it said.
Only hunters required to wear hi-vis
The ministry also re-confirmed that the only people who are required to wear high-vis jackets are “hunters involved in collective shooting of large game”.
This rule can also be “extended to other hunting activities”, it said.
The Ministry added that “good cohabitation between the various users of natural environments during the hunting season” includes requirements for hunters to provide:
It also emphasised “the importance of sharing” between countryside users, so that everyone can “enjoy nature”.
A positive idea for ‘good cohabitation’?
And while hikers, walkers, runners, and other countryside users are not required to wear the jackets, the measure could be a good idea as a way to avoid accidents.
Although hunters regularly highlight the fact that hunting accidents are on the decline, there are always a number of accidents - including fatalities - every hunting season.
For the years 2022-23, l'Office français de la biodiversité reported 97 accidents, including 58 serious ones.
Read also: Hunter, 43, dies after being shot during boar hunt in Normandy
Most recently, a 38-year-old walker and mushroom picker in south-east France had to have his leg amputated after being accidentally shot by wild boar hunters.
He and his friends were in an area authorised for pedestrians.
However, the picker was shot by an 82-year-old hunter, who mistakenly fired at him from just 20 metres away.
Read more: Walker picking mushrooms in Var loses leg after being shot by hunter, 82
