Hunting in France - statistics & facts
Hunting refers to the practice of capturing or killing wild animals, mainly for the purposes of meat consumption or recreation. Sometimes hunting is also used to manage feral or invasive wildlife populations. In France, hunting is not legal everywhere. Often it is the case that hunting is only allowed in special locations with a valid permit. In total, there are 22 hunting and wildlife reserves in France where hunting is allowed. Additionally, firearms used by hunters are heavily regulated to prevent misuse and injury. In 2019, there were over one million hunters with firearms in France, who collectively owned over two million weapons.
The types of animals that hunters target varies by region, depending on native or invasive wildlife species in the area. In Europe, wild boars, in particular, have become a nuisance in many urban areas, and the animals are popular targets for hunters in efforts to reduce their population. The number of wild boar killed each year in France has steadily increased, and there were over 800 thousand killed in the 2019 hunting season alone. Though public opinion on hunting varies, most French citizens feel that hunters are essential to limiting the growth of the wild boar population.
Hunting practices in France
In France, the number of valid hunting licenses has declined in recent years, reaching an all-time low in 2020, with just over one thousand active French hunting licenses. That being said, according to a survey done in France in 2021, nearly 40 percent of French citizens stated that they knew at least one hunter among their close friends and family.The types of animals that hunters target varies by region, depending on native or invasive wildlife species in the area. In Europe, wild boars, in particular, have become a nuisance in many urban areas, and the animals are popular targets for hunters in efforts to reduce their population. The number of wild boar killed each year in France has steadily increased, and there were over 800 thousand killed in the 2019 hunting season alone. Though public opinion on hunting varies, most French citizens feel that hunters are essential to limiting the growth of the wild boar population.
