This advance is the recognition of the wild boar as a species likely to cause damage (Esod), which opens the right to its capture outside the hunting period, i.e. from April 1 to August 14. Whether in nets or cages, “it will finally be possible, throughout the Dordogne department, to trap, over this period, as much as is necessary”.
“Union victory”
The measure is the result of an experiment carried out over several years and which has expanded over time to more and more municipalities. It was not obvious because, traditionally, regulating the wild boar population was a prerogative of hunters.
But the explosion in the number of swine made the situation untenable. “In 2023, more than 20,000 wild boars will have been slaughtered. It is estimated that this number would need to be increased to 30,000 for the proliferation to stop,” indicates Yannick Francès. Dedicated free training will be provided by the Chamber of Agriculture and the Hunters' Federation. In addition, it will be possible, during sowing in April and May – “a critical period” – to shoot the animals ravaging the fields.
The wood pigeon (pigeon) has also been classified as Esod. It will be possible to chase away this little-known but fond pest from market gardens and other sunflower fields, during periods and under conditions which have not yet been specified.
