To reduce the number of accidents, the government presented a series of measures earlier this week to further regulate the practice of hunting.
A time considered, the decision to end the hunt on Sunday was not retained.
The hunters met this Sunday morning near Rennes are rather relieved by the announcements, even if they are tired of being stigmatized.
They got up early to take advantage of the last day of small game hunting in Ille-et-Vilaine.
This Sunday morning, it was near Gahard, north of Rennes, that André Douard and three hunting friends met to flush out rabbits, hares and partridges.
After several hours of scouring the countryside, the hunting list turns out to be rather thin with only a pheasant in the bag.
But the main thing was elsewhere according to the president of the federation of hunters in the department.
"We enjoyed a breath of fresh air with friends and that's the main thing," says the septuagenarian, brushing aside the idea that hunters are all bloodthirsty killers.
"You should not imagine that you come back from hunting with full pockets," he says.
The purpose of a game is not to be successful.
And if we don't bring anything back, we're not unhappy.
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André Douard appreciates the moment all the more as his hobby was almost banned on Sundays under pressure from NGOs.
Supported by a majority of public opinion, the measure was ultimately not retained in the plan unveiled Monday by the government to better regulate the practice of hunting.
“It was clearly the red line not to cross, underlines André Douard.
If the measure had passed, there would have been revolt in the countryside.
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"We don't play with alcohol"
At his side, Alban also says he is "relieved".
"I work all week so if we remove Sunday, I would have no choice but to stop hunting," he says.
“If it were illegal, I could understand but it is not the case so there is no reason to prohibit us from hunting on Sundays, engages André Douard.
It is also the most restrictive leisure activity and the most regulated by law.
The president of the Ille-et-Vilaine hunting federation does not show himself to be stubborn.
"We are of course open to dialogue to improve things and develop hunting," he says.
According to him, the establishment of blood alcohol controls during hunting parties is a good thing.
“If this makes it possible to further reduce the number of accidents, there is no problem in being checked”, underlines the leader, tired all the same that the hunters are “always stigmatized”.
"We have to stop thinking that we drink while hunting," he says.
The hunters are responsible people and are perfectly aware that one does not play with alcohol, as when one is behind the wheel.
“We are stuck with a bad image but we are not worse or better than the others”, adds Alban.
Doubts about the app to report
The need for more training is also welcomed by hunters.
"It's good to remember the basics, especially since there are generations who have not experienced the hunting license exam," says André Douard.
In his federation, the work has already started two years ago with 2,500 hunters who have been trained out of the 10,000 licensees in Ille-et-Vilaine.
On the question of the mobile application to be launched this fall to allow hunters and other nature users to live together better, André Douard is however more reserved.
“I will of course use it if I am asked to but I am waiting to see how it will apply, he announces.
It won't be too much of a problem around here as it goes well with walkers and mountain bikers.
There is room for everyone if everyone is careful.
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