Accompanied hunting from the age of 15, solo hunting at 16… In France, the law authorizes minors to engage in the practice of hunting and to possess a weapon. Subject to respecting several rules.
A few weeks before the first round of the presidential election, the hunt is once again in the news. On Saturday, a 17-year-old hunter was implicated in the death of a 25-year-old hiker, shot dead during a wild boar beat in Cantal. A drama that raises in particular the question of the practice of hunting by minors. What are the current regulations in this area?
Accompanied hunting
For “discover the practice of hunting” in France, a minor can accompany a hunter from the age of 15 without being in possession of a hunting license. To do this, he just needs to follow a “basic practical training”provided by the departmental federation of hunters, which he can access from the age of 14 and a half.
If a minor under the age of 16 is not authorized to hold a hunting weapon, he can nevertheless shoot with that of his companion. Thus, the law states that “the authorized person and the guide may only have one weapon for two at the hunting site”. The weapon in question can be a rifle, a rifle or a bow.
The accompanying hunter must also fulfill certain conditions. His hunting license must have been validated annually within the previous five years, and he must not have been deprived of the right to obtain or hold such a permit by court order. His insurance must cover his civil liability as well as that of the minor he is accompanying. Finally, he must follow training in hunting safety, adapted to his responsibility as guardian.
Unaccompanied hunting
At 16, the minor can legally hunt alone. In this context, he can thus hold a weapon of category C or D (which includes semi-automatic repeating long guns). To do this, two conditions are necessary: the legal guardian must give his authorization and the minor must hold a hunting license – which he can pass from the age of 15 for the sum of 31 euros.
In addition, as for any hunter, the minor must provide a medical certificate attesting that his physical and mental state of health is compatible with the possession of a weapon. As well as a sworn statement certifying that the candidate is not registered in the National File of Persons Prohibited from the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons by the Administrative or Judicial Authorities.
The young hunter from Cantal, transported in shock to Aurillac hospital after her alleged fatal shot, did indeed have her hunting license. She also tested negative for narcotics and alcohol.