Feb 24, 2001 - 10:08 PM

Thousands of French Hunters Protest New Law

The Associated Press

NANTES, France (AP) - About 10,000 hunters, some blowing traditional horns, marched through the western French city of Nantes on Saturday, in a noisy protest against a law that increases some restrictions on hunting.
Some of the protesters were dressed in traditional costumes and marched alongside packs of excited hunting dogs. Others threw firecrackers and shouted, "We want to live in peace and hunt in peace."

Some youths hurled bottles and stones at police, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. LCI television said three people were detained.

The law, passed in July, aims to bring France's hunting season in line with European Union standards, which call for a shorter season on migrating birds and forbids hunting one day a week.

The EU decided in 1988 to take France to the European Court for failing to guarantee complete protection of wild birds during their return to breeding grounds and during nesting and rearing.

The Hunting, Fishing, Nature and Tradition political party has lashed out against the bill, saying it attacks customs specific to France.

The party has also criticized Environment Minister Dominique Voynet, a member of the Green party, saying she failed to consult hunters before drafting the law.

Also on Saturday, hundreds of hunters blocked roads north of Bordeaux in the Gironde region of southeastern France, causing traffic jams for almost two miles. The protest ended around midday.

Kinda scary when the French are showing more guts than we are.

The only thing we are losing faster than firearm rights are hunting opportunities. Wildlife habitat in Colorado is being bulldozed for homeowners, who then complain when Fluffy is eaten by coyotes.

Hey SS109. I'm up in Cheyenne and I remember reading a story in the Post that a group of home owners in a new development out in the country were trying to get a law past that ranchers and farmers had to keep their animals quiet. Seems all those horses and cows were disturbing the rural tranquility. After all, these folks moved to the country for a little peace and quiet.

No kiddin' .... I've been to France ... those guys carry purses !