Main hunting season in France starts on the 1st September

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The French hunting season gets into full swing tomorrow, 1^st September 2009 and continues until February 2010.  From that date, animals such as fox, pine-marten, rabbit, badger, wild boar and deer are fair game to the hunters. 

The rules and dates, as is typical for France, vary from department to department, which causes confusion for the participants and local population.  Consult you Mairie for exact dates and locations.

Each year there are a number of accidents with a significant number of deaths.  In the 2006 - 2007 season : 179 hunting accidents, 24 deaths.

In addition to the human cost, there have been countless cases of domestic pets being injured and killed. 

One very contentious issue is the hunting in and around villages.  Basically, within 150 metres of a house, hunting is not allowed, but outside that limit there are very few restrictions.  To prevent hunting on your land, you need to inform your local hunting society and display signs around your land.  The French wildlife preservation society, Le Rassemblement Anti Chasse (RAC), can help with this.

Have a look at our previous story on the Wild Boar of Najac and the Najac Blog.

It is an emotive subject and each year probably causes many arguments.  Have your say on our Blog on this subject or any other.

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