Italy: 115 hunting victims in the 2017/18 season

There is truly nothing good to report about recreational hunting in Italy, considering the fact that various animal species have become extinct or been severely decimated due to hunting. Or that non-native animal species have been introduced into the wild by hunting associations, thereby disrupting the ecological balance, which has ultimately also harmed humans themselves, e.g. the wild boar.

But recreational hunting in Italy also means violation of private property, thanks to an outdated Article 842 of the Civil Code, which authorises hobby hunters to enter private land without any consent from the owners. And it is also an infringement on the inviolable right to vote, which prevents citizens from having a say in the matter, as the example of the Piedmont region shows.

115 hunting victims in one season

Recreational hunting is also the only sport that injures and kills people. As every year, the association of hunting victims, which has been active since 2007, compiled a dossier on hunting weapon victims at the end of the hunting season (31 January).

Data for the 2017/2018 hunting season: Civilian non-hunters: 34 (24 injured, 10 killed). Hobby hunters: 81 (60 injured, 20 killed). Total: 85 injured and 30 killed. 3 victims were minors, of whom 2 were injured and 1 was killed.

The highest number of hunting accidents occurred in the Campania region in southwestern Italy, with 15 victims, followed by Tuscany, Lazio, and Puglia. The number of domestic animals and protected wildlife killed — including wolves, bears, and birds of prey — is unknown. Add to this dangerous shots fired near inhabited residential areas, tonnes of lead residue from hunting ammunition left in the countryside, and hobby hunters shooting at animals fleeing from wildfires.

Newspaper Clippings of Horror

Below are some newspaper clippings collected by the association of hunting victims: «Killed by a hobby hunter while picking mushrooms and chestnuts.» «Shoots at birds from his terrace.» «Bear was shot dead.» «Poacher hunting coots to supply restaurants.» «Shots fired at vegan restaurant.» «Hobby hunter shoots at drone.» In contrast: «Hunting ban in Siena on 20 October during President Mattarella's visit.»

Political Privileges for Hobby Hunters

But the association also points out that, even though the number of hobby hunters continues to decline, they still enjoy political privileges, particularly from the PD (Partito Democratico Italiano) and the Lega. In 2017, despite a recommendation by Ispra to restrict the hunting season due to drought and wildfires, some regions not only failed to shorten the season but actually approved early or extended hunting periods for certain species.

It is an old story. Hobby hunters wield influence, but so does the arms industry, with its lobbyists in parliament and in the regions. Hobby hunters and the arms industry — a deadly combination that harms nature and kills people, writes Fabio Balocco of ilfattoquotidiano.it. More on crime and hobby hunting and on the animal welfare problem.