HUNTING MODES

HUNTING MODES

A HUNTING MODE IS A TECHNIQUE USED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF CAPTURING THE DESIRED ANIMAL.

BIG GAME HUNTING WITH HOUNDS

Process where dogs chase game (roe deer, wild boar, deer) as long as possible in order to get it out of the forest around which shooters are stationed at the usual places where game passes. The "hounds" are used to flush out the animal then pursue it by going up its way (smell that it leaves on the ground) thanks to the power of their scent, while constantly barking. This signals to hunters the circuit taken by the hunted animal.

SMALL GAME FEATHER HUNTING WITH POINTERS

It is an individual hunt which is usually practiced with one or two so-called “pointing” dogs. The dog quests in front of its master in search of an emanation*. When it detects it, it brings it up to get as close as possible to the game but without catching it. The dog then freezes taking a characteristic position until the flight of the game. The hunter can thus shoot the bird that the dog will bring back

* odor left in the ambient air by the bird

HUNTING PIGEONS AND THRUSHES

This practice, known as “bird hunting”, carried out on the lookout, with decoys* or by walking along hedges, is a usual hunting activity for many hunters in the Rhône.

*call: instrument used to attract an animal by the noise it produces

WATERFOOL HUNTING AT THE PAST OR CALLING

It is a very specialized hunt requiring in-depth knowledge of Anatidae*. It consists of placing live or artificial ducks (callers) on a pond, whose role is to attract wild ducks to make them land. This hunt is also practiced while waiting for the ducks during their usual passage in the morning and evening, it is the past.

*duck family

THE EMERGENCE OF NEW HUNTING MODES

BOW HUNTING

This hunt, silent, is particularly difficult. Requiring to approach very closely the coveted game to kill it outright, it requires a perfect knowledge of the forest and the species. It is indeed only a few meters away that you have to approach the game before shooting an arrow. We then hunt on the lookout or on the approach. All types of game can be hunted with a bow (from lark to wild boar). Specific training is mandatory.

Not to be confused with the crossbow which is prohibited for hunting

Stalking deer and wild boar

This hunting based on observation and discretion is mainly practiced from June to August and aims to contain large game populations and participate in their good management by taking priority of deficient or sick animals. It also prevents wild boars from damaging crops.

TRADITIONAL HUNTING MODES THAT ALLURE AGAIN

A hare hunting team on foot  . This mode of hunting consists in pursuing the hare with creed hounds (hunting only this species). The boatswain and the attendants then follow their pack on foot unarmed. The goal is to chase the animal as long as possible. The beauty of the dogs' work takes precedence over the very rare capture of the animal by the pack (about once in twenty). About twenty crews practice underground hunting (fox, badger and nutria) with the help of dogs that go into the burrows. There are also several flight hunting crews using trained raptors. We can therefore very well hunt without a gun thanks to the competition of dogs or birds of prey trained for this purpose.