Lhe arenas of Pontonx-sur-l'Adour were full on Saturday, April 15, during the general assembly of the Departmental Hunters' Federation (FDC 40). In the presence of the prefect of Landes, Françoise Tahéri, elected officials and parliamentarians, the hunters showed, once again, that they are moving forward in unison in the face of the constant attacks to which they are subject.
“Our department is atypical in the diversity of hunting methods it offers, observes…
Lhe arenas of Pontonx-sur-l'Adour were full on Saturday, April 15, during the general assembly of the Departmental Hunters' Federation (FDC 40). In the presence of the prefect of Landes, Françoise Tahéri, elected officials and parliamentarians, the hunters showed, once again, that they are moving forward in unison in the face of the constant attacks to which they are subject.
“Our department is atypical in the diversity of hunting methods it offers,” observes Jean-Luc Dufau, president of FDC 40. “We are popular with hunters throughout France, but we seem to disturb a sectarian minority, above ground, who never stops wanting us to disappear. »
Times are tough for hunters and in a tense national context, the Landais are more determined than ever to lead the fight. “Hunting is a culture, a way of life. To all those who want to limit us to a regulatory function, I say no,” storms Jean-Luc Dufau from the podium. “The regulation and preservation of the balance of our ecosystems are the consequences of our passion, but in no case can they be the cause! »
Less damage
In this spring of 2023, the Landes Federation is engaged on all fronts. In the files, there is always that of damage from big game and, in particular, wild boar.
However, general awareness makes it possible to maintain a certain balance in the compensation allocated to the agricultural world. From 1,064 hectares destroyed in 2019, there are now 179 hectares in 2022. Trapping, night shooting with night vision and experimentation with replacement buckshot constitute key assets to stem the proliferation of suid populations, of which 20,000 appear in the table below. the end of the 2022 season, compared to 500 in the 1980s. “We must anticipate European regulations which will gradually ban us from the use of lead in hunting ammunition,” recalls André Lailheugue, secretary general of the Federation.
“We can combine our French art of living and environmental protection”
The arenas were full for the general assembly.
JM.D.
Driven hunting, often criticized in terms of risks for other users of nature, is a reality of which hunters are aware. The Departmental Hunting Management Scheme provides answers which include the ongoing training of hunt leaders. But there is also the ten-year training for all hunters imposed by the 2019 law, as well as the free applications for reporting sporting activities (hiking, mountain biking, etc.) offered by the municipalities or the Departmental Council.
A member of the LPO
In a tormented period, the highlight of the general assembly was undoubtedly the presence of four renowned guests alongside the hunters: Charles Stepanoff, socio-anthropologist and writer, André Viar, former matador and writer, Richard sur Terre, YouTuber on the environmental themes, and Bertrand Alliot, founder of the Action écologie association, who served for fifteen years on the board of directors of the Bird Protection League (LPO), of which he is still a member.
The latter's speech made it possible to discover, in a tone of irony, “that there are also meatheads among environmentalists”. But Bertrand Alliot above all invited hunters not to fall “into catastrophism”, because “we can mix our French art of living and the protection of the environment”.
“Animal welfare is good, but it is not the LPO which takes care of it, otherwise it will come into contradiction with itself,” adds Bertrand Alliot who believes that “attacks against animal welfare hunting are not justified.
“We have to fight to be able to continue to take our kids hunting,” concludes Richard on Earth to the ovations of the room.
No traditional hunts, no drives
As a “shock”, the Federation proposed a motion which received 90% of the votes. To defend traditional hunts, Landes hunters have decided that the regulation of big game (deer, roe deer and wild boar), a public service mission, will only be possible on the condition that small local and cultural hunts are maintained. Hunters would like to be able to practice bird larks and maintain the tradition of net pigeons.
