“Getting closer to the animal, bow hunting offers incomparable emotions”

Apprendre, améliorer sa technique, entouré de ses pairs. D.R. – Midi Libre

Ce week-end des 6 et 7 avril, des instructeurs de chasse à l’arc venus de toute la France étaient en formation à Nîmes. Au programme : échanges, amélioration des connaissances et exercices pratiques.

They are carpenters, engineers, firefighters or even senior consultants in the transformation of large organizations. Coming from the four corners of France this weekend of April 6 and 7 in Nîmes, there were around thirty – men and women – of all ages and from all backgrounds, gathered around their common passion: bow hunting, during a training session at the Vacquerolles golf course.

Meet at the Vacquerolles golf course

For two days, these bow hunters, already all instructors among others in Allier, Var, Gers, Aveyron, but also here, in Gard, worked together and under the direction of Éric de Lavenne, president of their national federation, in improving their hunting technique. In a common concern to best pass on their passion, which is most often poorly known, to beginners and experienced practitioners, all of whom have a firearm hunting license in due form.

At the start of this Sunday morning, the presence of these archers in camouflage outfits among the golfers was surprising. Few people know that overlooking the scrubland, an archery practice area is almost adjacent to the green!

"The presence, here even more, of people identified as hunters and holding a bow in their hand, immediately arouses the curiosity of golfers. The latter then willingly ask us questions about our practice, giving us the opportunity to start an enriching conversation about its rules and uses, but also about its core values", appreciated this Sunday Cédric Cousin, the president of the Gard federation of bow hunters which brings together around forty people.

Progress, transmit

"Difficult, very technical and rewarding, bow hunting above all offers incomparable sensations and emotions. Because it is practiced at a very short shooting distance, as close as possible to the animal, explains Éric de Lavenne, owner of an elegant 62-inch Longbow hunting bow in walnut and yew. This noble wood, highly prized by archers for its flexibility and strength.

"When it hits its target at a speed of 50 to 100 m/s, the arrow is equipped with a three-point broadhead blades pass through the animal from side to side in 1/50th of a second. Causing massive hemorrhage of the vascular organs and therefore death without agony, again at a lightning speed generally not exceeding 3 seconds", continue Éric de Lavenne and Cédric Cousin.

In the scrubland, among the deer footprints –  and possibly wild boars – left in their path, Yvan, bowhunting instructor, hit the nail on the head. Thirteen meters in front of him, the hare-shaped target used for the exercise was hit in the heart.

A Light Hunt

Smiling, the fifty-year-old who abandoned traditional hunting which he considered "too noisy"&nbsp ;Here, listen carefully to the wise advice of your peers, to make your own technique more effective and efficient. And transmit on his return to Moulins (Allier), his updated knowledge on the optimal practice of bow hunting. This traditional and centuries-old hunting technique, the act of which is today based on three essential pillars: being as close as possible to the animal, always opting for light hunting and in conditions only ;nbsp;favorable.

In France, 3,000 people officially practice bow hunting. According to unofficial sources, there are around 15,000 followers.

I subscribe to read more