Saint-Fontaine residents face nuisance from thousands of released pheasants

In the village of Saint-Fontaine, located in the municipality of Clavier, thousands of pheasants and ducks released for the upcoming hunting season have begun to invade local gardens, fields, and roads.

Residents report significant daily nuisances, noting that the birds occupy private lawns, land on outdoor furniture, and leave droppings on terraces and paths. One resident reported seeing approximately 200 birds in a single small area.

The birds are not wild; they are raised in aviaries and imported to Belgium specifically for hunting. While the release of small game is permitted under certain conditions in Wallonia, the practice has been banned in Flanders since 1996. Duck hunting began on September 1, while pheasant hunting is scheduled to run from October 1 through the end of January.