Hunting

Hunting season set to open in France: key information and calendar

It starts this Sunday in many departments, with others to follow in the next two weeks

Dismay as court lowers payout over Franco-British man shot dead by hunter

‘Hunters have been given a blank cheque to kill with impunity’, says lawyer for the man’s brother

Franco-British man shot dead by hunters: €1.4m compensation claim

'By hitting each and every hunter in the wallet, we would make them all more responsible in future hunts,' lawyer tells French court

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VIDEO: Hunters say they caught (and released) golden jackal in France

They are ‘90% sure’ the animal was a jackal, and are now waiting for DNA test results

Why are there more boars in France in 2024 - and will it continue?

Farmers around the country report increased damage from the animals

How to keep hunters out of your garden in France

They can enter your land unless you take steps to explicitly state that you do not want them to

Farmers plead for help over increase in boars in south-west France

The hunting period has been extended due to the animals’ growing population

What to do if you cross a boar while out walking in France?

The animals can be aggressive but generally only if they feel threatened

A third hunting dog dies of ‘false rabies’ in France: call for caution

The ‘highly contagious’ disease primarily affects wild boars and pigs

Hunter, 44, killed by stray bullet in Normandy

The man was part of an organised wild boar hunt. He died at the scene.

French hunters and cyclists agree to share land after 15-year debate

The two groups have created a rota for use of a 1,000 hectare area in the south

French woman hospitalised after boar charges at her as she gardens

The pensioner now has plaster over half of her body

New app aims to keep walkers safe in French hunting season

The smartphone tool can create alert zones around anyone out in the countryside

Chance to buy private island in the Loire - you will need a boat too

The island has 33 hectares of land for agricultural use and a nineteenth century hunting lodge to restore

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

Listen: Stag bellowing season underway in French forests

Did you know that now is stag bellowing season in France, and that every year, nature-lovers gather to listen out for the sound and even compete to imitate it best? We explain.

Drunk hunters face €1,500 fine under new French law

Some groups say measures do not go far enough to reduce hunting accidents

Scams, pharmacies, hunting: 5 practical articles from France

We look at changes to the way in which pharmacies can operate, new scams doing the rounds and explain the rules around wastewater and the new hunting season

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

Hunters who receive state funding in France must report how it is used

Official auditors want transparency on the impact of millions of euros in grants for biodiversity and wildlife control

New cull list of wildlife 'pests' upsets conservationists

We look at species on the latest three-yearly ‘pest’ list and the reactions

Why are wild boars now a common sight in French towns?

Hunting, climate change and town residents feeding them have contributed to an explosion in wild boar numbers, experts say

Hunt federation boss ‘regrets’ people are afraid of hunting in France

Hunt opposers and those afraid do not understand us, he says, but warns that people must not discourage hunting too much as the environment will suffer if there are not enough hunters

Walkers to face fines for going into marked private woodland in France

MPs vote in favour of the penalty which could apply to three-quarters of woodland in France. Hunters, though, will be exempt

Hunter’s shot smashes car window passing close to driver in Normandy

A hunt was taking place in a wood a few hundred metres away from the road when the incident happened

Hunter who shot man dead in his garden in France escapes jail time

The hunter who shot the fatal bullet and the director of the hunt received suspended prison sentences for the death of Morgan Keane

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

Hunter’s shot hits car full of people on main road in north France

Renewed calls for action from hunt opponents as hunters’ own lobby promises to come down hard

‘Hunting in France has changed over the years – not for the better’

Bigger, more aggressive groups and breaches of no-hunting zones are among the main concerns for our reader

Explainer: How to block hunters from using your land in France

Use this letter template to request that your land be taken off the list of permitted hunting grounds

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

Hunting in France has its place – as long as it is done responsibly

Nick Inman argues that compromise is everything if hunters want their divisive tradition to continue

‘Strong emotion’ in Brittany village after Briton killed during hunt

The woman ‘was always in good humour, kind and ready to smile’, the mayor told The Connexion

British woman dies after being shot during Brittany hunt

Her partner is reported to have shot her in the chest with his rifle in a handling error

Teenager shot during presumed poaching accident out of danger

A 21-year-old has admitted shooting the bullet which hit the 17-year-old in the back

Can I import a gun into France from another EU country?

We look at France’s rules on importing a gun, which differ depending on its type

Trial date set for French hunter after man shot dead in garden

The hunter will be tried for involuntary homicide along with the person who organised the hunt on that day

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’

MAP: The dates for the 2022-3 hunting season in your French department

With the season having begun this weekend in many areas, we look at the individual departmental start and end dates

Concerns as the hunting season opens in many areas of France

Walkers and environmentalists are among those to express worry after a season of drought and wildfires. Several Senate debates are also due to return their conclusions on hunting subjects

Is there a way to check if a hunt is taking place near me in France?

There is no centralised resource containing information about hunt dates and locations but several other ways exist to gain information

Snakes, wader birds and the wrath of hunters in French countryside

Wildlife spotter Jonathan Kemp shares stories of reptiles, raptors and four flat tyres

Hunting subsidies rise to €6.3m in France as critics call for ban

Critics say the hunting lobby has had far ‘too many gifts’ in recent years and are calling for a temporary ban, but proponents say its organisation is ‘transparent’

Petition targeting French anti-hunting associations gets 100,000 names

A group aiming to have hunting banned for two days a week has dismissed the petition as a ‘waste of time’

French hunters and hikers unite to save rural footpaths for wildlife

The unlikely alliance have seen a drop in biodiversity where countryside paths have been destroyed or forgotten - they explain why

Who has the right to carry a gun in France?

Owning a gun is usually associated with hunting practices in France

Hunting of two endangered birds authorised in France

A bird protection group has denounced the decision to allow the hunting of two types of birds in Hautes-Alpes, saying they are ‘under pressure’

Breeding like rabbits: Row over wild animals’ presence in Paris

The animals, which are common in Les Invalides gardens, are no longer considered to be ‘pests’, prompting environmental managers to warn of the damage they can cause

Brown bear numbers growing in French Pyrenees after reintroduction

Record numbers of cubs were born last year thanks to a state-backed repopulation project, but illegal hunting and claims of broken promises from the French government are a threat

‘A long road ahead’: Parti Animaliste leader on French animal rights

Hélène Thouy discusses her presidential campaign and the barriers to improving animal welfare in France

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’

Should foxes still be classed as ‘pests’ in France?

The animals can currently be hunted and killed all year round, but environmentalists say their status should be changed as, far from being a risk to nature, they actually help it

French election candidates meet hunters: what are they proposing?

Two candidates were deliberately not invited to the hunting union’s congress, having been accused of ‘spitting’ on the activity and creating opposition to it

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

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

Man, 25, shot dead by hunter as he cuts wood at home in Lot

More than 400 people have died in hunting incidents in 20 years, according to official figures

Hunter, 17, questioned after woman shot dead on walking path in France

The 25-year-old deceased woman was hiking with her partner when she was hit. The incident has been strongly condemned by a minister and the French hunting federation president

Hunters use bows and arrows to cull boar in southwest France

The method is often used to hunt boar when the population is judged to be getting too large and dangerous for nearby homes, but the practice is controversial

Stag moves into hunters’ club garden, becomes mascot of French village

The animal has been named Etienne after the village where he now lives

Hunter killed by stray bullet during hunt in central France

Investigators believe the man, 66, may have been hit by a ricocheting bullet shot by a fellow hunter who was aiming for a fox

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

Hunter who killed bear in Pyrenees will not face charges, rules court

The decision in Spain is likely to be closely considered in France, where an investigation into a similar fatal bear shooting is still ongoing

Stray bullet hits car in south-west France in new hunting accident

Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances in what is the latest in a series of hunt accidents to have prompted public debate on the practice

Do hunters need ongoing medical tests in France?

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

Do hunters in France have to put up signposts?

The hunting season in France generally runs between September and February and some of the rules are changing including to do with signage

France lockdown: Is hunting now banned?

Hunting is the third most popular sport in France, with over 1 million official hunters in the country

Law proposal to ban hunt enclosures designed to trap animals in France

The bill is supported by 80 MPs, and is the latest move in what has been a controversial few months for hunting in France – but not all are in favour

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

Hunter who shot bear in south France may have been in no-hunting zone

The bear – which was with its cubs – attacked the man before he killed it with a single shot

Hunter fatally shoots bear in southwest France after it bit him

The incident is the latest to take place during a boar hunt, and is the second fatal shooting of a bear in Ariège in as many years

‘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

Two hunt-free days in France petition passes 80,000 signatures

The campaign was launched by friends of a 25-year-old accidentally shot dead by a hunter in his garden. If it reaches 100,000, it could be selected for debate in the Sénat

Hunter shot in chest, bullet hits car: More hunt accidents in France

The incidents come within days of a driver being fatally hit by a ricocheting bullet as he drove on a dual carriageway, relaunching calls for changes to hunting laws

Hunting

Hunting season set to open in France: key information and calendar

Dismay as court lowers payout over Franco-British man shot dead by hunter

Franco-British man shot dead by hunters: €1.4m compensation claim

VIDEO: Hunters say they caught (and released) golden jackal in France

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850,000 retirees in France will see their pension increase from October

Hunting season set to open in France: key information and calendar

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Do ‘Crit’Air’ stickers go out of date for French low-emission zones?

Shop olive oil: French consumer group names cheapest healthiest option

Couple use official '90-day' calculator for French trip – but told dates wrong

Mediterranean storms and lots of rain: French weekend weather update September 7 - 8

Why are there more boars in France in 2024 - and will it continue?

How to keep hunters out of your garden in France

Farmers plead for help over increase in boars in south-west France

What to do if you cross a boar while out walking in France?

A third hunting dog dies of ‘false rabies’ in France: call for caution

Hunter, 44, killed by stray bullet in Normandy

French hunters and cyclists agree to share land after 15-year debate

French woman hospitalised after boar charges at her as she gardens

New app aims to keep walkers safe in French hunting season

Chance to buy private island in the Loire - you will need a boat too

French tabacs to sell ammunition for hunting

VIDEO: Hunters believe this clip shows a wolf in Brittany

Hunter dies after being charged by boar in south of France

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

French wildlife charity to turn hunting enclosure into nature reserve

Associations seek end to marmot hunting in France

Couple tell how stray hunt bullet hit car and house in south of France

French state faces legal action for not protecting people from hunters

Autumnal French recipe inspiration using seasonal produce

Listen: Stag bellowing season underway in French forests

Drunk hunters face €1,500 fine under new French law

Scams, pharmacies, hunting: 5 practical articles from France

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

Number of fatal hunting accidents in France at historic low

Hunters who receive state funding in France must report how it is used

New cull list of wildlife 'pests' upsets conservationists

Why are wild boars now a common sight in French towns?

Hunt federation boss ‘regrets’ people are afraid of hunting in France

Walkers to face fines for going into marked private woodland in France

Hunter’s shot smashes car window passing close to driver in Normandy

Hunter who shot man dead in his garden in France escapes jail time

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

Hunter’s shot hits car full of people on main road in north France

‘Hunting in France has changed over the years – not for the better’

Explainer: How to block hunters from using your land in France

Hunting ‘feels safer’ in France than in the UK

French government considers new hunting rules including alcohol ban

Hunting in France has its place – as long as it is done responsibly

‘Strong emotion’ in Brittany village after Briton killed during hunt

British woman dies after being shot during Brittany hunt

Teenager shot during presumed poaching accident out of danger

Can I import a gun into France from another EU country?

Trial date set for French hunter after man shot dead in garden

French Senate debates whether to ban drinking while hunting

MAP: The dates for the 2022-3 hunting season in your French department

Concerns as the hunting season opens in many areas of France

Is there a way to check if a hunt is taking place near me in France?

Snakes, wader birds and the wrath of hunters in French countryside

Hunting subsidies rise to €6.3m in France as critics call for ban

Petition targeting French anti-hunting associations gets 100,000 names

French hunters and hikers unite to save rural footpaths for wildlife

Who has the right to carry a gun in France?

Hunting of two endangered birds authorised in France

Breeding like rabbits: Row over wild animals’ presence in Paris

Brown bear numbers growing in French Pyrenees after reintroduction

‘A long road ahead’: Parti Animaliste leader on French animal rights

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

Should foxes still be classed as ‘pests’ in France?

French election candidates meet hunters: what are they proposing?

French village restricts hunting by banning bullets after hiker death

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

Man, 25, shot dead by hunter as he cuts wood at home in Lot

Hunter, 17, questioned after woman shot dead on walking path in France

Hunters use bows and arrows to cull boar in southwest France

Stag moves into hunters’ club garden, becomes mascot of French village

Hunter killed by stray bullet during hunt in central France

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