Hunting chaos in France claims victims

In one of the most recent hunting accidents in France, a hobby hunter was killed by a stag.

You read that correctly: at the beginning of November, a stag weighing up to 200 kilograms trampled a man in a forest near the Vosges who had inadvertently ended up in its escape route. It was an extremely atypical accident, especially since wild animals normally avoid humans. Usually, hobby hunters are responsible for hunting accidents, their shots not landing where they are supposed to.

In France, three people have already been killed in the current season. 90 people were injured, among them numerous hobby hunters, but also mushroom foragers, cyclists and joggers — ten more than in the previous season, reports the Basler Zeitung.

It is above all non-hunters who are drawing fierce criticism

Hunting is a matter close to the heart of many French people. There are more than one million hobby hunters, more than in any other EU country. In Germany, there are currently around 400’000. Until 2019, France had a party called «Hunting, Fishing, Nature and Traditions». The TV channel «Hunting and Fishing» delights its audience with programmes such as «The Roaring of Stags» and «Monster Carp».

For years, however, there has also been debate over whether and how hunting should be restricted in order to prevent accidents. While the number of accidents has fallen at first glance over the past 20 years, it is above all cases involving non-hunters that repeatedly spark fierce debate. There are also fewer and fewer hobby hunters, which puts the accidents of recent years back into perspective. According to a survey conducted in September, 80% of French people are in favor of banning hunting on weekends and during school holidays.

Even Macron had to be reined in

The government faces criticism for being overly influenced by the lobby of recreational hunters — one million votes are not to be taken lightly. President Emmanuel Macron halved hunting licence fees in 2018 and also sought to re-permit the traditional hunting of songbirds using nets and trapping cages — a move that was, however, blocked by the Supreme Court.

Macron celebrated his 40th birthday in 2017 at Château Chambord, a traditional hunting domain. There he also met with a group of hobby hunters who presented him with their kills.

Alcohol limit and Sunday hunting ban

Under discussion now is at least a maximum blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for hobby hunters, as applies to drivers. To date there is no regulation on this matter, though accidents under the influence of alcohol are punished more severely in court. In addition, hobby hunters should no longer be permitted to fire sideways, but must observe an angle of at least 30 degrees, as is already standard practice in many départements. A ban on hunting on Sunday afternoons is also being considered.

"My goal is clear: I want there to be no more accidents," says the responsible Secretary of State Bérangère Couillard. Corresponding decrees are to be issued by the end of the year.

Gunman faces trial

The friends and relatives of Morgan Keane are closely following the government's plans. The 25-year-old was shot two years ago while chopping wood on his own property in southern France by a hobby hunter. The shooter, now 35 years old, who was unfamiliar with the area and had only held a hunting licence for six months, is said to have mistaken him for a wild boar.

The case attracted considerable attention. On 17 November 2022, the hobby hunter and the chairman of the local hunting association must answer in court in Cahors for negligent homicide. They face up to three years in prison and fines of 75’000 euros.

"We hope that he receives a lifelong hunting ban," said Léa Jaillard, a friend of the killed man, who held both British and French citizenship.

Reports on the trial are likely to reignite the debate over a possible restriction of hobby hunting in France. Criminal activity in the context of hobby hunting is also an increasing problem in Switzerland, and the animal welfare issues associated with hobby hunting affect all of Europe.