RandomGuy
01-26-2011, 01:59 PM
French hunters urged to declare war on the boar
French farmers and forestry experts are at a loss to explain a dramatic rise in the numbers of wild boar, apparently linked to increased fertility among the female animals.
Last winter, hunters across the country killed a record 560,000 boar - 10 times more than they were shooting 30 years ago.
But the population is easily replacing itself, and now stands at well over a million.
The problem is not just that the animals cause severe damage to crops and meadowland.
They are also beginning to encroach on areas inhabited by humans. Omnivorous, adaptable and highly mobile, wild boar have been increasingly spotted in town streets and gardens in recent years.
In 2009, they were responsible for nearly 21,000 road accidents across the country. Neighbouring countries including Germany and Italy reported similar problems. Now it is up to the hunters to keep the wild boar population under control
To curb their numbers, the government recently enacted a National Wild Boar Control Plan. This authorises the hunting of boar all year round, in suburban zones as well as the countryside, and at night as well as in the daytime.
'Hunters' paradise'
One other factor is changing human behaviour.
[B] France may be known as a hunters' paradise, but in fact the number of hunters is falling. This has to do with the declining number of farmers, and the spread of a sedentary, suburban lifestyle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11948612
------------------
The NPR story I heard the other day had some old guy complaining about young kids not being interested in real world hunting anymore.
Calling all rednecks, France needs you! :lol
French farmers and forestry experts are at a loss to explain a dramatic rise in the numbers of wild boar, apparently linked to increased fertility among the female animals.
Last winter, hunters across the country killed a record 560,000 boar - 10 times more than they were shooting 30 years ago.
But the population is easily replacing itself, and now stands at well over a million.
The problem is not just that the animals cause severe damage to crops and meadowland.
They are also beginning to encroach on areas inhabited by humans. Omnivorous, adaptable and highly mobile, wild boar have been increasingly spotted in town streets and gardens in recent years.
In 2009, they were responsible for nearly 21,000 road accidents across the country. Neighbouring countries including Germany and Italy reported similar problems. Now it is up to the hunters to keep the wild boar population under control
To curb their numbers, the government recently enacted a National Wild Boar Control Plan. This authorises the hunting of boar all year round, in suburban zones as well as the countryside, and at night as well as in the daytime.
'Hunters' paradise'
One other factor is changing human behaviour.
[B] France may be known as a hunters' paradise, but in fact the number of hunters is falling. This has to do with the declining number of farmers, and the spread of a sedentary, suburban lifestyle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11948612
------------------
The NPR story I heard the other day had some old guy complaining about young kids not being interested in real world hunting anymore.
Calling all rednecks, France needs you! :lol