A thousand badgers were saved from being dug up in 2025 by ASPAS, AVES, and One Voice
While France is one of the last European countries to allow the additional underground hunting season, the fight against this cruel and non-selective practice is progressing thanks to the actions of nature conservation associations. For several years, ASPAS, AVES, and One Voice, with the support of numerous local associations, have been challenging prefectural decrees authorizing this practice outside the hunting season, starting on May 15, everywhere they can. Badger cubs, still dependent on their parents and present in their burrows at this time of year, are directly affected by this indiscriminate hunting.
Every year, the dozens of requests made by our associations against these “additional periods” result in numerous victories. In 2025, twelve decrees were suspended by the courts and nearly 1,000 badgers were spared the hell of the pliers, from the Aisne to the Haute-Vienne, via the Eure region.
And this fight is progressing. Some areas, such as the Loir-et-Cher and the Vienne regions, no longer allow underground hunting. Almost everywhere else, prefectures are being forced to reduce hunting seasons. In 2020, 72 of them allowed hunters to start their digging up on May 15. By 2024, that number had fallen to 19, and by 2025, to just 12.
However, agricultural and hunting lobbies are increasing pressure to influence prefectural decisions. For several months, government departments, working hand in hand with hunters, have been sharpening their arguments and adapting their strategies, no doubt hoping that the courts will eventually tire of ruling in favor of the associations.
While 84% of French people say they are in favor of banning this archaic practice (IPSOS/One Voice poll, 2024), our associations remain fully mobilized and will use all the tools at their disposal to continue the fight next season.