A hike to “break prejudices” between hunters and walkers near Laval

A “hunting hike” was organized this Sunday, April 28 by the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne. 230 people participated in this first educational hike in the department. It could be renewed next year.

The hunt for prejudice is open in the small town of Villiers-Charlemagne located 20 kilometers south of Laval.

In the minds of hikers who do not hunt, walking in the forest is synonymous with tranquility.

But when the hunt is on, some prefer to stay on the lookout, as Pascal explains.

“I’m careful where I walk so as not to annoy the hunters.” explains the walker.

Hunters have areas reserved for them and as a hiker you don’t have to go anywhere either.

Pascal

a hiker participating in the demonstration

Laurence, another hiker participating in this educational excursion confesses: “I’m a little afraid when I hear gunshots because I don’t know the rules either”

“As soon as we meet a person who has a weapon in their hands and whom we do not know, there is a certain apprehension that sets in, we can understand that.” analyzes for his part Didier Leblanc the president of the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne which organizes this event.

“It is up to us to go to these people to reassure them.” he assures.

I think that there is a priori linked to accidents which can still occur, even if they are very few in number. There were six last year alone, let’s say. Six too many of course, but only six

Didier Leblanc

president of the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne

Relationship with animals, legal obligations, safety rules. All the concrete and little-known aspects of the world of hunting are covered.

From a hunting watchtower Sylvain Pottier, another member of the Mayenne hunters association, explains to the neophytes present with a gesture in his hand: “ that’s my shooting window. I can only shoot in this 30 degree angle“

The volunteers advocate pedagogy,According to them, there is no way to put an end to preconceived ideas about hunters.

The preconceived idea about a hunter is that he is just a shooter who only thinks about shooting. A gentleman who is there to score. The hunter is not that. He’s a wildlife manager

Sylvain Pottier

former vice-president of the association of big game hunters of the department of Mayenne

The idea is to put an end to false ideas regarding hunting legislation.

This hike is the opportunity for hunters to explain their legislation and their procedures.

” Many see hunting as solely the taking of a wild animal from the wild, whereas hunting is completely focused on the management of large wildlife.” explains Didier Leblanc.

If I talk about wild boar for example, we took around 5,000 wild boars in Mayenne this year, you can imagine that we leave them in the wild with all the risks that that would pose in terms of collision with vehicles but also agricultural damage.

Didier Leblanc

president of the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne

Nature a gift to share

Education, very practical advice and also a very useful gift: an orange reflective vest like all hunters wear during hunting season just to make themselves seen.

Hunters advise forest hikers to wear one during each hunting season.

Didier Leblanc, president of the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne, concludes: “Nature is made to be shared” he said.

“This activity must be explained because it is no longer understood by people who have left the rural environment and who have lost these ancestral values ​​which once existed.” adds the Mayenne hunter

Hunters did not understand quickly enough that it was necessary to communicate and that is why we have all the criticism we hear today. It’s up to us to explain what we’re doing to reassure people and that we can live together in nature in the best possible conditions.

Didier Leblanc

president of the Association of Big Game Hunters of Mayenne

Artccile written with Alexis Delacour

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