Hunting in France
Hunting is the subject of passionate interest and strong convictions. The least we can say is that, in France, hunting leaves no one indifferent, being marked by strongly opposed views and deep-seated political values.
In all events, it inspires numerous devotees and France has more hunters than any other country in Europe. Hunting grounds and estates meet this need for recreational space all over France.
From an age-old practice to a pastime that increasing takes an environmental approach, we turn the spotlight on a tradition that is firmly rooted in the French territory.
Now, in the 21st century, France has more than one million hunters.
They come from every social and professional background, from manual workers and farmers to executives and business leaders, from craft workers and retailers to the liberal professions. The practice has been handed down the generations and maintained in the rural territories where it makes a real contribution to the economy.
Opinions on the ecological role of hunting diverge and we will not go into that debate here, but one thing is sure: hunting comes into reflections (including those of the authorities) on land use development and the sharing of spaces. Hunting is highly regulated, as we will explain on another page on the Forêt Investissement website.
Hunting is enjoyed all over France, with strong traditions in some regions such as Sologne, the southwest and the Mediterranean, where there are many hunting estates. Although many hunting techniques do not really require firearms, nine out of ten hunters practice shooting and the shotgun is the weapon used by 93% of them.
Age-old practices are passed on as traditions are upheld
The traditional hunting techniques, which we have described on our Hunting Techniques pages, remain important and firmly rooted. These techniques include hunting with nets, cage traps, birdlimes, venery, falconry and bow hunting, to name but a few, and still draw enthusiasts, including young people. These age-old practices are passed down the generations to uphold tradition.
Today’s hunter is younger and younger
40% hunters are aged under 18 (according to a CSA study in 2005, commissioned by the national hunters federation), strongly attached to their region (86% of hunting licenses are issued by the département, according to the same study) and passionate about the natural environment.
The 21st-century hunter thinks in terms of land development, game numbers and their role as a stakeholder in the local community. Typically, this modern-day hunter is an individual sensitive to the ecology of their region. In France, hunting is a way of remaining in contact with nature and of expressing a broader desire to protect the local environment. The many hunting estates found across the country testify to this.
Combining a love of nature, culinary pleasures, a sense of fellowship and the passing on of traditions, hunting is all about the passion!
Forêt Investissement, the specialist agency for forest transactions, will help you find the hunting estate or enclosure you are looking for. Your acquisition will enable you to pursue your passion, whatever your style of hunting.
