The most recent trajedy took place near Grenoble, a young 20 year old student, walking on a well-used footpath. He was hit by two shots from a rifle fired by a 60 year old hunter. He died of his wounds. The hunter said he thought he was firing at a deer! He has been charged with manslaughter and the gendarmerie are carrying out an investigation. I sincerely this latest trajedy is not swept under the carpet due to the powerful hunting lobby.
On my regular forays into the woods in the autumn I feel obliged to wear a high visibility jacket and even then I don’t feel entirely safe. There has been at least one mushroom picker shot by hunters.
At the road junction leading up to the hamlet where I live there’s a sign during the hunting season telling you to watch out. It also indicates that hunting takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Public Holidays. It puts my back up as there are other people who wish to benefit from the mountains and forests and not just hunters. As for telling you to watch out it is surely the reverse and for hunters to expect others to be out and about.
It appears that French hunters are too ready to fire without clearly identifying the target. Surely fundamental before opening fire ? but sadly not. Does it have something to do with the fact that hunters often start there day with an alcoholic drink which is often topped up at lunch time. Clearly the current hunting licence that allows the purchase of weapons is not rigorous enough.
