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Hunting rules

Driver tells how hunter’s bullet entered car as he drove in Dordogne

The bullet from a boar hunt missed him by ‘a few centimetres’ and ended up lodged in the passenger seat

Bid to stop marmot hunting in France fails

Six environmental associations denounced the hunting as ‘scandalous’ but the court did not rule in their favour

French state faces legal action for not protecting people from hunters

Two associations say that the ‘unprecedented’ case is calling for no-hunt days and claims that 70% of people in France ‘do not feel safe’ during hunting season

news

Wolf numbers increase in France, rules on hunting them to be relaxed

See where wolves have been spotted, including several sole animals in west France

Hunting season opens in many areas of France: what's good to know

What do they hunt? When does hunting start? How to stop hunters going on your land? We answer the key questions.

Number of fatal hunting accidents in France at historic low

Other hunting related accidents are also down, a new report shows - however environmental groups say more needs to be done to reduce risks

Ban bird hunting with glue and traps by closing loophole, France told

France’s highest administrative court said the government must annul 1989 decrees on traditional bird hunting methods

French mayor bans Sunday afternoon hunting to make walkers safer

Mayor Bruno Toussaint said it was passed with the agreement of local hunters, who accepted it ‘without any problem’

Bid to ban hunting in France on Sundays branded ‘extremely shocking’

Since 2000, there have been 421 fatal hunting accidents in France, but the number of deaths each year is falling

Hunting France: no Sunday ban, an app for walkers.. new plans revealed

Some 14 measures have been announced by the government in a bid to reduce the frequency of accidents

Hunting in France: Reaction as bullet enters young family’s kitchen

The head of the local hunting federation said ‘no rules were broken’ but admits that more needs to be done to achieve ‘zero risk’

Hunter, 56, dies after being shot by fellow hunter in southeast France

It comes as the government is set to introduce new safety measures for hunts

Hunting ‘feels safer’ in France than in the UK

After a woman was killed during a boar hunt in Brittany, a British hunter explains why he still believes the activity is better-regulated in France

French government considers new hunting rules including alcohol ban

The rules on alcohol and drug use may be the same as those for driving, while other measures may also be implemented. Yet, the government has so far ruled out a Sunday ban

French Senate debates whether to ban drinking while hunting

The chamber has proposed a formal ban on hunting while inebriated, which is not technically illegal in France. Hunters say the report is ‘stigmatising’

French hunting boss tells people to walk ‘at home’ to avoid accidents

Willy Schraen also says walkers should wear high-vis jackets. He argues that ‘85% of the country is privately owned’ and that ‘nature does not belong to everyone’

French village restricts hunting by banning bullets after hiker death

The death of the 25-year-old hiker in Cantal last weekend was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ on hunting accidents, the mayor’s office said

‘Our friend was killed by French hunter, stricter controls are vital’

Senators have been hearing from friends of a victim campaigning for two hunt-free days a week and hunting organisations after a petition launched a debate

Have hunting accidents become more or less frequent in France?

The death of a 25-year-old hiker hit by a stray hunting bullet has renewed calls for hunt-free days and stricter safety protocols, especially considering that bullets can travel up to 3km

Calls for hunt-free day in France multiply after hiker, 25, killed

The woman was hit by a bullet believed to have been fired by a teenage hunter. Hunting federation insists the practice has and will continue to become safer

French hunters to ‘get gift ahead of election’, say wildlife charities

A new rule will make it harder for animal rights groups to lodge legal objections to hunting periods

Do hunters need ongoing medical tests in France?

Do hunters in France have to undergo any regular medical tests to keep their hunting licences?

Hunter, 82, accidentally shot dead by another hunter in Brittany

The incident is the latest in a spate of accidents, which have reignited debates over hunting rules in France

‘Hunters should help police rural issues in France’ says hunting boss

The comments come as recent high-profile accidents have reignited the debate over hunting rules, and some authorities call for more regulation and hunting-free days

How often do hunting accidents happen in France?

Two people were injured by stray bullets from hunters last week, as head of hunting federation says ‘zero risk’ hunting is not possible

Dual carriageway driver hit by hunter’s bullet near Rennes

The 67-year-old is in a 'critical' state. He is the second person in 48 hours to be seriously injured by a stray bullet, reigniting debate over whether hunts should be banned at weekends

‘If it’s not 100% safe, don’t shoot’: My hunting experience in France

A keen hunter says hunting in France is safe and necessary and rejects claims, often from non-rural residents, that hunters are dangerous and drink before or during hunts

New twist for hunters in France: Songbird trapping banned again

The highest administrative court has suspended certain hunting authorisations for the second time, with campaigners calling it a ‘victory for biodiversity’ – but hunters deny biodiversity is at risk

Ban on traditional bird hunts with nets and cages overturned in France

The controversial practices had been suspended in August. Bird welfare groups say they will fight this new change

‘The tests I had to sit - and costs - to get a French hunting permit’

A hunter in France explains the whole process of getting a hunting licence in France, from the initial application to the training days, the day of the exam and the practical and theoretical elements

France bans turtle dove hunting after numbers drop by 80%

The ban will last until at least July 30, 2022, but bird protection group the LPO says that it does not go far enough and will not give the ‘species in agony’ time to recover

Local chasse in France refuses to extend deer hunting season

'The animals have suffered enough this year' local federation president Gilles Kaszuk tells Connexion, 'they need to be left in peace for now'

French towns take action as urban wild boar sightings soar

Authorities across France are finding ways to deal with the growing problem, as hunters are also warned of the danger of eating undercooked boar meat

Brother of man shot in hunt rejects accidental death ruling

Prosecutors found Morgan Keane’s death earlier this month was accidental, but his brother is calling for an ‘impartial’ investigation

Hundreds join march in honour of French man shot by hunter

More than 900 people attended the silent march in honour of Morgan Keane, with some calling for stricter regulations on hunting and for his death ‘not to be in vain’

Six arrested in eastern France after illegal boar hunt

Gendarmerie used a helicopter to survey an area of forest, and caught the poachers ‘in the act’ of hunting boar with dogs and 4x4 vehicles

Hunting for large game permitted in France despite lockdown

The exception to the lockdown law was granted this weekend, with pro-hunters saying it does not go far enough but animal welfare campaigners dubbing it a “scandal”

French MP proposes replacing hunt animals with robot copies

Robots could mimic animal behaviour and replace deer and rabbits in hunts to “end animal cruelty,” says MP Damien Adam, a member of President Macron's party.

France bans turtledove hunting for 2020-21 as numbers drop

The French Conseil d’Etat has banned woodland turtledove hunting in France for the 2020-21 season, in a U-turn on a previous ministerial decision to allow it.

Macron bans ‘illegal’ hunting of thrush and blackbirds

The President took the decision to ban birdlime (or "glue") hunting after meeting with hunting representatives and politicians. The ban is in place for one year.

MEP: France hunts in an illegal way

A French MEP has called for “a gradual stoppage of hunting” in France and said that hunters in the country currently “hunt protected species in a totally illegal way”.

Wild boar numbers spike in France due to confinement

The wild boar population in the south of France has grown rapidly during confinement due to a lack of hunting and ongoing climate change, sparking increased tensions among the agricultural and hunting communities.

Criticism as France lengthens boar hunting season

Hunters in France are to win the right to hunt boar “almost all year round” due to a new government decree, in a move that has been condemned by a nature protection group.

151 boar killed in out-of-control hunt

The fédération de chasse des Ardennes said that it 'strongly condemned' the hunt

Hunting death toll already up on last season

Eight people have died in hunting accidents so far this season, one more death than during the whole hunting season last year.

Hunting bullet shoots moving car in central France

A driver and passenger who narrowly missed being shot in the head when a hunting bullet pierced through their car in a forest in central France have made a formal complaint to local police.

France is the European country with most hunters

Hunting, a tradition or a cruel way to kill animals? Here, we speak to two people involved in the debate.

French court overturns hunt decree on endangered bird

The Conseil d'État, the highest administrative court in France, has overturned a ministerial decree that had previously allowed the hunting of the threatened bird species, the curlew.

Bow and arrow boar hunting prompts debate in France

The decision to allow wild boars to be hunted by bow and arrow in the Vaucluse is prompting debate, with hunting experts in favour of the move, but local welfare groups launching a petition against it.

French hunt list has foxes

An official list of 10 species which can be killed by hunters includes foxes for most of France – to the dismay of wildlife protection groups.

Bird welfare group files complaint against France

Bird welfare group La Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux is calling on France to remember its obligations towards birds, 40 years after a European Commission (EC) directive on the issue was first imposed.

France issues hunt ‘pardon’ for escaped wild animals

Wild animals in France that end up running into inhabited or built-up areas due to wild hunting will now be “pardoned” and allowed to go free, according to a new government decree.

Glue trap hunting method upheld in French court

Bird hunters in France have been given permission to continue using the traditional method of “glue trap hunting”, after the French Conseil d’Etat rejected a demand for its ban.

French town: Mushroom pickers must wear high-vis vests

A commune in the Savoie has made it mandatory for mushroom pickers to wear fluorescent jackets while out picking, in a bid to “be seen and avoid accidents” during hunting season.

French group offers €500 reward for ‘best foxhunter’

Hunters in the Charente-Maritime (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) have sparked controversy after promising a financial reward for any member who kills the most foxes in the department this hunting season.

British cyclist shot dead by hunter in French Alps

A British 34-year-old cyclist, who was a restaurateur in the commune of Les Gets (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), has been killed accidentally by a hunter in the Haute-Savoie.

Anger over silencers for hunters

Move would end a ban in force since 1986

Hunter shot dead during wild boar hunt

A man has been shot dead during a wild boar hunt in the Var.

Deer kills hunt man

62-year-old was flushing out game when he was gored by a young stag

Jumping through hoops for French hunting licence

The focus is on security, skills and the knowledge of the hunter rather than the gun(s) they possess (as in the UK)

Hunting is banned on Sundays for first time

Hunters support historic move which will cover popular hiking routes around Annecy