Hunting, a noble activity

A look at the news - Jonas Follonier

Today, in many cantons, students are returning to their universities, for a back-to-school period that heralds the imminent arrival of autumn. But this Monday, September 18, is also the start of the hunting season. In Valais, early this morning, the various hunting groups were out in the mountains, stalking deer and chamois. It's time for the high hunt to begin.

Despite its slanderers, hunting is not a savage sport. On the contrary, hunting is an art and requires a system of meticulous practices. What's more, it requires a real understanding of nature. This is why true friends of nature are not to be found among those hostile to deer-killers. Ecologism sees nature as superior to man; capitalism sees man as superior to nature. Hunting, on the other hand, sees man and nature in a harmonious relationship.

Indeed, we cannot stress this enough: game hunting plays an important role in regulating various species. For example, in a certain valley, hunters will be asked to take more deer than last year because there is an excess population. And in another valley, fewer chamois than usual may be hunted, since their population has been observed to have declined significantly. Hunting—when it is not poaching—is the best example of humanity’s ability to improve the environment around it.

Of course, if hunting is so wonderful, it’s also—and above all—because of the whole context surrounding it. It takes on an almost mystical quality thanks to the family traditions that are woven into it, but also because of the friendship it fosters within the group, the camaraderie that develops amid a breathtaking landscape, and the moments of togetherness it creates.

Sharing, in hunting, takes many forms. First, there is the sharing of knowledge: a good hunter has learned the names of local landmarks, the geographical features of different areas, and the flora and fauna in all their complexity, and knows how to pass this knowledge on to others. Next comes the division of tasks, the assignment of different hunting sectors, and the allocation of game to be hunted. Finally, there is the sharing of camaraderie—in a hunting cabin, over a meal and a bottle of wine.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, in a majestic silence, hunting teaches patience, attentiveness, and coexistence. It is a noble pursuit. And, a little while later, the venison stew—enjoyed with the knowledge of its origins—takes on a very special flavor: that of respect for nature and a sense of connection.

Write to the author : jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Chasse et nature