Approved trappers who present themselves as the new guardians of nature no longer talk about “harmful” species but those likely to cause damage (Esod). On a daily basis, they track wildlife that is on the blacklist, particularly in the agricultural world.
In the corbeautière, half a dozen birds move in all directions, throwing themselves against the fences as Pierre Bonnaud and his friend Alain Lager, president of the association of approved trappers and private guards, approach.
A crow trap, as its name suggests, is a crow trap that works a bit like a wasp trap. The Hunter’s Journal details how it works: “The crow arrives through the air in a kind of funnel. He passes between the rungs of the ladder and the shape of the trap will prevent him from coming out because his wingspan will be too great to pass between the rungs.”
The trapper holds an approval granted by the prefecture
However, since Pierre Bonnaud’s last visit, a bird has managed to escape. It is not a crow but a black crow, a powerful animal, with a formidable beak and feared by farmers, because of the damage it causes to crops, particularly corn. .
Alain Lager traveled from Saint-Cirgues to collect a crow which will serve as a decoy to trap in his own commune. Like Raboliot, the trapper is a nature lover. Until just a few decades ago, everyone in the countryside was trapping. We of course remember the photos of the Puy waterfowl fair which was a highlight of local life, offering for many the opportunity to make ends meet.This trapped wood jay is not on the black list in Haute-Loire and will be released.
Unlike Maurice Genevoix’s hero, today’s trapper respects rigorous regulations. He holds an approval granted by the prefecture (After practical training delivered to around thirty candidates in Lavaux near Paulhaguet and theoretical by the hunters’ federation), he must have the authorization of the owner of the land or the right to hunting, have filed a three-year authorization at the town hall for the municipality(ies) concerned by trapping, include your approval number on each trap used, carry out a check of the traps every day (for those who capture the animal alive) or still keep a daily record of catches, which must be transmitted to the hunters’ federation once a year.
Bycatch is released
The trapper must still kill the captured animal as quickly and painlessly as possible. Pierre Bonnaud, for his part, has the habit of not leaving the corpse of the fox or any other animal in the open air but of hiding it out of sight, for example under a pile of stone.
The trapper is by nature very discreet. Sometimes to the point that its “mission” of regulating certain species and the service it provides to the population gives rise to misunderstandings.
The approved trapper is required to release any accidental catch. On the day of our visit, on Pierre Bonnaud’s land in Séneujols, a wood jay, attracted by the bait, a chicken egg, was trapped in a trap box, placed at the edge of the field by the owner of the place. There are all types of traps on this agricultural land that Pierre Bonnaud has reserved largely for the reproduction of wild rabbits with a view to the reintroduction of this small game. Coming back to the jay, this bird is not currently listed in Haute-Loire, among the species likely to cause damage (Esod). After a few hours of captivity, the bird regained freedom.
A single weasel can cause 7 to 8,000 euros in damage
Hunters and trappers in particular have banned from their vocabulary the term “pest species” which gives a negative image of their discipline, once again perfectly legal.
Between 700 and 800 people officially practice trapping in the department. There are around 200 “active” people, and a little over a hundred members of the association of trappers and private guards.
Reintroduced 60 years ago in Haute-Loire, the deer is becoming “too invasive”
Fox, marten, marten, weasel, rook, starling are among the species trapped in France, but the list evolves over time and across departments. To enter the list, damage figures must be established for each species. The marten is no longer one of them in Haute-Loire. “It causes damage, particularly in apiaries, but beekeepers do not systematically declare losses. So we lost the marten like Esod,” regrets Alain Lager. On the other hand, the marten which enters the attic of houses and destroys the insulation, is retained. “A single subject can cause 7 to 8,000 euros of damage,” notes Alain Lager. For his part, Pierre Bonnaud cites the example of a resident of Taulhac in Le Puy, who suffered 4,500 euros worth of damage to her home with a single weasel.
The Altiligarian trappers hope one day soon to see the black-billed magpie appear again in their list (it was six years ago). The bird would cause damage to red fruit crops and silage reserves by pecking at the bales. “The operators make a declaration to the territorial management who alerts the louveterie lieutenant, who can resolve the problem himself or call on a trapper who has a temporary trapping authorization of one or two months,” explains Alain Lager. Nature protection associations rightly regret the disappearance of sparrows. “But what do they do to protect them against the magpie that destroys the nests? », protests Pierre Bonnaud.
The raccoon invasion
Among the so-called “invasive” species, the raccoon has literally colonized the Haute-Loire. 367 were trapped last year in the department according to data collected by sampling books. “Their number is increasing. More raccoons are caught than foxes, particularly in the Allier valley. The mammal is starting to invade the Loire Valley,” says Alain Lager. “Some carry a parasite that can be transmitted to humans,” adds Pierre Bonnaud.
The vice-president of the association estimates that one pair of foxes would be needed for 250 hectares. In reality, the density is much higher. “In my opinion, there is an imbalance in nature,” remarks Pierre Bonnaud. However, trapping maintains this predator/prey balance and helps small wildlife. It also ensures health monitoring throughout the year. It happens that we accidentally capture rather discreet species like the forest cat or the genet, recently one in Polignac, another in Frugières-le-Pin.
Philippe Suc
Contact. It is not necessary to hold a hunting license to practice trapping. To learn more about this practice, it is possible to come to the association’s meeting, on May 5 from 8:30 a.m., at the Halle de Saint-Paulien or by email: les [email protected]
Incentives for trapping in Haute-Loire
There are many wildlife trapping equipment available.
In 2024, approved trappers will see their activity evolve. A financing agreement is signed between the hunters’ federation and the trappers’ association.
Joining the association gives you the right to insurance and legal protection. An agreement was recently signed with the hunters’ federation which reimburses €20 to the association for each trapper who submits their trapping logbook on time. In return, the trapper will not pay membership fees. The regulations require the trapper to transmit an annual report of the catches to the administration. By mutual agreement between the association and the hunting federation, the trapper is therefore asked to provide a detailed statement of his activity: trapping pressure, number and distribution of captures, types of traps used, etc.
Different categories of traps are authorized, such as wildcat boxes and other traps allowing the animal to be captured by restraint in a closed space without directly holding it, traps triggered by pressure on a pallet or by removal of bait, having the effect of purpose of killing the animal. They are apparently less employed currently.
There are also collars equipped with a stopper. Finally, those which have laces and which allow the animal to be captured by part of its body, without killing it. It is while trying to escape that the beast is held by one leg.
The signed agreement also provides for reimbursement by the federation to the association of 60% of the value of the traps purchased by the Acca (approved municipal hunting associations). These “facilities” granted to trappers are in line with the departmental hunting policy for the reestablishment of small game. We therefore understand that the fox, whose populations are growing, is not welcome.
