Before planning to hike in France, there is something you should know: France is mad with hunting. I’m French and I was raised in the French countryside where I have faced this issue countless times.
It is completely unfair that nature is unavailable to hikers, cyclists or all other outdoor lovers because of a minority of hunters, equipped with fire arms. You’ve probably heard stories of people being killed despite wearing super visible attire? Even recently. It’s incredible, it’s unacceptable but unfortunately, it’s the truth.
Hunting in France
Hunting season usually starts toward the end of September but can start, in some areas, as early as the end of August. It closes toward the end of February. This represents 6 full months! Half the year, nature is reserved to maniacs with riffles and is rendered unsafe to other people.
Oh and it’s every f*cking day. There is no official day off. And since about 40% of hunters are retired, they don’t ever stop! Every single day, you will hear the detonations of their riffles.
If you think that going hiking in a natural reserve will solve the problem, think twice. Hunting on a natural reserve is not necessarily prohibited.
In France, 89 different species are being hunted. This is more species than in any other countries, at least in Europe. Some of those species are close to being endangered.
There are over 1 million officially registered hunters in France but this only represents 1,5% of the population.
In summary, 1,5% of the population hijjack nature, all over the country for half of the year. How can this be?
Accidents and deaths caused by hunters
You may be thinking that it can’t be that bad because 1,5% of the population isn’t that many people. You should read on.
Every year, on average, there are about 150 reported accidents. 20 people die each year, killed by hunters. A lot of those death are hunters but some are passerby.
You may have heard the story of the mountain biker who got killed despite wearing highly visible gear? Maybe you’ve heard about the bullet that ended up in a TGV head rest? That one is really scary. If you haven’t that’s ok, but this is happening in France. And you can find countless similar stories.
You can also find countless stories of people in France who have found bullet holes in their cars after a trip. Bullet holes in the roof of their homes. Stories about hikers who heard a shot very close by and then saw the bullet hole in a tree. These are not included in the 150 reported accidents.
I would also add that the official numbers do not count for the numerous horses, dogs and cats who get killed.
To be fair, you still have more risks of dying when getting behind the wheel of your car. But death by hunters are unnecessary. That is not a risk we should be facing when going for a stroll.
82% of French people are against hunting. Yet, the 1,5% of hunters represent a financial and political force which isn’t been ignored by the government.
You think I’m being unfair?
Do you think I’m being unfair? That not all hunters are the same? That it’s necessary? #sorrynotsorry, I’ll never agree with you.
I was born in an area of France, plagued by hunters. I’ve seen with my eye, the garbages they leave behind, I’ve seen their lack of respect for the nature and the animals they claim to love. And let’s not forget the superiority they feel, with their riffles in hand…
I’ve cried with my friend over the dead bodies of the numerous cats she lost, killed by hunters. Hunters don’t like cats who roam around and kill birds before they can.
I’ve seen trash containers filled to the brim, with the dead bodies of boars. I still recall the smell. No it wasn’t because of swine fever. They just had killed too many. They didn’t care.
Unfortunately, I still get to see how pheasants and other birds are being bread in inhuman conditions, clueless they will be released in front of hunters and shot, as soon as they discover freedom.
Don’t even get me started on the ‘ it’s a tradition’!
I could go on. No one will ever convince me that hunting is a sport and certainly not an activity deserving the lock-down of a whole country, half of the year.
What you can do if you want to go hiking during hunting season
Still want to go for a hike in France?
The first step is to try to find out where hunts might be held. In practice, it’s really not that easy. For once, information will only be available in French. Then, it’s all about local info. You can go to the townhall and try to find out, the official hunts. You can try to call the local hunters organisation.
In reality, hunters can be anywhere.
Next, you’re supposed to be visible. Which means wear an orange or yellow jacket! Yep, it is your responsibility to stay safe and invest in the ugliest hiking gear you can find.
You’re supposed to make sure that hunters know you’re there. Speak, so they can hear you. But not too loudly, to not disturb them! Bullsh*t!
Change your plans if you see or hear hunters, because you should not disturb them. Remember it’s their land, their time, their rights. You don’t count, you shouldn’t be there. They have riffles.
A lot of times, they will install signs that a hunt is in progress. That means no trespassing! A lot of times, they will leave the signs much longer than the hunt. Like days, even weeks. Nature is taken hostage but you’re still not supposed to head in that direction.
Signs that say “Chasse gardée” pretty much means private property. You’re not supposed to go there.
Heading on a path thinking you would turn left? No, there is a hunt in progress. So you’ll turn right instead? No, there is also a hunt in progress. Go straight? Not possible either. Just go back home and leave hunters in peace, would you?
As mentioned above, even natural reserve are not 100% hunt free. Hunts are organized there to limit the population of the not protected species. And there are hunters who don’t really care about protected areas anyway.
Alternatives to going hiking?
At one point or another, you’ll probably give up. What can you do instead of hiking? Here are some ideas:
- Visit a castle, a chateau or a museum
- Visit a botanical park
- Donate your time to a cause
- Prepare your next road trip
- Get handy and do some DIY project
- Declutter
- Read a book
- Netflix & chill!
Hiking when the hunting season is closed
So maybe you’re cool with staying at home in winter because it’s cold anyway. First remember hunting season is not just winter, it start end of August / beginning of September. If you think like I do, that September and October are glorious months to hike, that nature is so pretty…. Well, that’s too bad…
Anyway, from March to end of August, you can go for a hike in France, without getting shot. That’s good news!
