Badgers dug up alive: you can say no
Over the coming months, the prefectures will be proposing authorising additional periods for the underground hunting of badgers.
As part of these public consultations, everyone can have their say.
Let’s oppose this cruel and archaic practice.
As part of the public consultations, citizens can submit their comments and proposals electronically. It is essential that we participate in large numbers. For contributions to be properly taken into account, they must be well-reasoned.
Here are four arguments you can use, rephrasing and personalising them as you see fit:
- A cruel practice
Underground hunting causes extreme suffering and distress to badgers: burrows are destroyed with shovels, pickaxes or crowbars; animals cornered by dogs are dragged out with metal grippers before being shot or killed with a knife, if they do not die beforehand from stress or dog bites. This practice is carried out solely for the hunters’ amusement.
- A non-selective method
Badger burrows are often shared with other species, some of which are protected. Introducing dogs into the burrow tunnels can disturb, injure or kill animals that are not the intended target.
- A timing that condemns the young badgers
The supplementary digging-out period takes place when the young are not yet independent. Furthermore, killing a female at this time almost always condemns her young to die in the burrow.
- A practice contrary to the law
Article L. 424-10 of the Environmental Code prohibits the killing of mammalian young. The Administrative Court of Appeal in Bordeaux (24 February 2026, No. 24BX00637) recently clarified that a ‘young’ refers specifically to a young animal incapable of living independently without relying on its mother. Yet underground hunting during the supplementary period directly (or indirectly through the death of the mother) exposes young badgers to death.
A fight that remains necessary
Every year, our legal actions prove it: mobilisation is pushing back against barbarism. In 2025, twelve prefectural orders were suspended by the courts, sparing 1,000 badgers from the regions of Aisne through Eure to Haute-Vienne. Despite these advances, and despite the fact that 84% of French people say they are opposed to underground hunting (IPSOS/One Voice poll 2024), the hunting lobby continues to exert pressure.
One Voice remains fully committed and continues to use all available legal means to defend badgers and to speak out on their behalf in the face of hunters’ lies. Your civic engagement remains essential.
Badgers dug up alive: you can say no
Prefectures are set to launch public consultations to authorise the underground hunting of badgers. Oppose it!