In France, hunting groups are increasingly seeking police protection amid rising tensions following widespread wildfires that devastated large forested areas over the summer. The fires left many animals dead or displaced, fueling heightened public hostility towards hunting activities as the autumn season begins.

Armed gendarmes have begun escorting some hunting parties to ensure their safety. Denis Jacob, the conservative mayor of Neuilly-en-Thelle in northern France, remarked on the unprecedented need for police protection, saying he had never seen authorities "ride shotgun" for hunters before. This measure comes in response to hunters receiving threats, including death threats, as well as acts of vandalism such as the burning of hunting lodges and destruction of hunting platforms.

Willy Schraen, president of the National Hunters Federation, described the confrontations between hunters and what he characterized as increasingly aggressive campaigners. He expressed concern over the rising hostility, noting that hunters now fear physical attacks. Hunting, traditionally a pursuit associated predominantly with working-class and lower middle-class communities in France, has faced a decline in public support over recent decades. Polls indicate that roughly half of the population favors a ban on hunting.

Local authorities have imposed a one-year hunting ban in certain areas most affected by the wildfires, aiming to allow ecosystems time to recover. Nevertheless, animal rights activists and environmental campaigners argue these restrictions are insufficient. Sandrine Rousseau, a Green Member of Parliament, drew criticism after urging her supporters to confront hunters, stating, "We will be there, facing the hunters." Schraen accused Rousseau of effectively encouraging hostility toward hunters by making such statements.

The debate over hunting in France reflects broader tensions around land use, environmental protection, and animal rights. While hunters emphasize tradition and rural livelihoods, opponents highlight the ethical implications and environmental impact of hunting, particularly in the aftermath of the recent fires. Authorities continue to navigate between maintaining public order and balancing competing interests as tensions remain high entering the hunting season.