France hunting season faces wildfire risks and new regulations

The 2026-2027 hunting season opening in France faces significant challenges due to environmental and regulatory factors. In the Mediterranean departments, particularly Bouches-du-Rhône and Aude, wildfire risks are heavily influencing access to hunting grounds. In Bouches-du-Rhône, the general opening is scheduled for September 13, but hunters must monitor daily fire risk maps, as weather conditions like the mistral wind can lead to immediate restrictions or closures of specific massifs.

In the South-West, specifically in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the season involves approximately 160,000 practitioners. Current developments include public consultations on ministerial decrees regarding traditional net hunting for wood pigeons and capture quotas. Additionally, hunters are increasingly integrated into sanitary surveillance networks, acting as field observers for wildlife health monitoring. Safety training and evolving practices, such as bow hunting, also remain central themes for the upcoming season.