Maybe it is just a coincidence, maybe not but the hunting season got under way last weekend and I seem to be seeing more deer and Hare than I have seen all summer.
Shooting and hunting is not allowed until September and then syndicates, which to be fair are strictly controlled, scour the countryside for their quarry from rabbits and pigeons through to hare, deer and boar.
In the Dordogne of course the Sanglier (wild boar) are hunted in the densely wooded areas. Boar though, are infrequent here in our part of the Lot et Garonne.
The French seem to be going through a similar phase that the UK did before the ban on Fox Hunting. The younger generation is having a greater say in what happens now and there is a growing anti brigade apposed to hunting.
In the meantime, if your land is 'donated' to the Chasse you cannot stop the hunt unless you apply to the Marie. Our land was donated by M Bertrand prior to our purchase so at present we cannot stop the hunters from crossing our land although, they are strictly controlled and are not allowed near to buildings or populated areas.
We have just returned from Monflanquin after a meal. Driving up the track toward the house I caught what looked like a Hedgehog in the headlights on the grass. On closer inspection it was apparent that it was a baby Hare frozen still in the beam.
Having a shooting background in my younger days it didn't stop me from feeling a bit sad. Today the hunt came through - they are allowed to hunt Sundays,some Saturdays and Wednesday's - Maybe the wildlife is finding that the sanctuary of the summer, especially as the crops are being harvested, is not as safe now and they are having to move around.
