Collective driven hunting and Solognac safety guidelines

BIG GAME DRIVEN HUNT SAFETY

A priority for everyone!

More than any other practice, big game driven hunting demands unflagging discipline and vigilance. Safety is the absolute priority, a shared responsibility among all participants to ensure every day goes smoothly.

PREAMBLE ON THE PLACE OF SAFETY IN THE NEW HUNTING LAW

"To date, all federations are already running numerous training courses for hunters and/or hunt organisers. This hunting safety training will be generalised with the implementation of a mandatory refresher course every 10 years. It will not be an exam, but a training session to review hunting safety actions, recall accident scenarios and proper behaviour when encountering non-hunting countryside users, the adaptation of weapons to target game, etc. All departmental wildlife management plans already include a safety section adapted to the local biotope and hunting methods.

In addition to this training, to reinforce and standardise certain hunting safety rules, particularly for the many hunters holding national permits, the following are required during collective shooting actions for big game:

- mandatory high-visibility vests,
- display of temporary signs indicating a hunt in progress,
- within each FDC (Departmental Hunters' Federation), a departmental hunting safety committee will also be set up, composed of members of the Federation's board of directors."

Source : https://www.chasseurdefrance.com/pratiquer/chasser-en-securite/

Attentive hunters during the safety briefing at the gathering

SAFETY RULES TO RESPECT DURING A BIG GAME DRIVEN HUNT

During a driven hunt, the gathering before the start of the hunt is essential for reviewing rules and safety guidelines. It also allows organisers to check licenses and insurance, as well as present the schedule for the day. The rules to follow during a hunt apply to active hunters as well as anyone who might be on-site (motorists, walkers). For this reason, marking out the hunting zone is paramount.

Rules when moving around
All firearm transport via a motorized vehicle must be done with the weapon unloaded and dismantled, or placed in a slip while unloaded. Vehicle use is prohibited while the hunt is underway, except for mobility-impaired individuals. Wearing hi-vis clothing is then (depending on the department) mandatory.

Solognac high-visibility orange hunting jacket

RULES ONCE STATIONED AT YOUR POST

As soon as the hunter arrives at their post, they must first identify and signal their presence to neighbouring hunters in the line. Once this position check is complete, the hunter defines their 30° arc of fire. To do this, they take 5 paces towards one neighbour and 3 perpendicular paces in the direction of fleeing game. They repeat the process on the opposite side towards their other neighbour. The hunter must also adapt this procedure to the terrain layout: taking into account obstacles (trees, rocks, paths, houses, roads...) located within their arc of fire.

You can mark your angles in various ways: using local materials like two branches pushed into the ground on either side of your post in the middle of the track, or ideally, using dedicated driven hunt markers.

Once these factors are taken into account, the hunter stands "facing the woods" awaiting the signal to start the drive. Once the hunt horn sounds the start of the drive, the hunter may begin loading their firearm, after checking the barrel(s). Loading must strictly be done with the barrel pointed towards the ground and within the safe angle. Once the drive is underway, under no circumstances must the hunter leave their post before the end-of-drive signal. Every shot must be directed into the ground at close range, with clear target identification. For added safety, opt for elevated shooting platforms such as high seats. Naturally, any stance leading to a non-plunging shot is strictly forbidden. Should an animal be wounded after a shot, hunters must not pursue it; blood tracking dogs will handle this task at the end of the drive.

Finally, any movement of a harvested animal subject to a hunting quota plan must take place after tagging.

Diagram and ground markers for respecting 30° angles

RULES FOR BEATERS

For safety reasons, beaters must wear hi-vis clothing to remain visible from a distance. The dogs accompanying the drive must also wear collars that allow quick identification. The beating line must remain perfectly aligned; if not, the lead beater may pause the line's progression to guarantee maximum alignment.

VISIBILITY IN BIG GAME DRIVEN HUNTING

One of the main safety issues during a driven hunt is visibility. Indeed, to hunt while being both visible and relatively camouflaged, gear must meet both constraints. Wearing hi-vis clothing remains the best way to be seen. At Solognac, several of our hi-vis driven hunting products are certified under European PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) standards. To earn this certification, our PPE-rated products must comply with strict specifications. Among the many checkpoint requirements of the PPE standard are product ergonomics, visibility, and fabric ageing resistance. These tests are conducted inside Decathlon's research centre before being certified by an independent laboratory. For camouflage, our product managers recently developed Treemetic Fluo, which you can discover by clicking here.

BEATER PROTECTION

Being a beater involves specific obligations to ensure safety. To achieve this, gear requires three key properties:

- Visibility
- Tear resistance
- Puncture resistance

At Solognac, we have worked closely with beaters for years so they can provide the brand with hands-on field expertise. We developed a beating range specifically designed to meet their expectations. Through this selection, we provide guaranteed durability against dense woodland vegetation thanks to ultra-resistant fabrics, extreme testing, and continuous improvements.

WHAT OUTFIT FOR BEATERS?

Marc Monnet - Solognac product tester for driven & beating hunts / Presenter on the Seasons TV channel

Marc and his beating team are hunters known for being tough on gear, wearing out at least 4 pairs of beating boots per person every year (Note: the Supertrack boot tested by Marc lasted a full year of testing while maintaining its waterproofness). Consequently, whether choosing boots or shoes, durability is top priority. Marc prefers boots due to their ease of use with beating trousers like the Supertrack 900, keeping a pair of hunting shoes with gaiters and chaps in his car boot for less planned hunts. An important detail: gloves prevent snags and stop you losing the benefit of an ultra-durable outfit: jacket + trousers + appropriate boots. Solognac developed the Supertrack gloves based on his feedback. Let's not forget protective glasses, which are becoming increasingly essential as Marc's team records at least one trip to the ophthalmologist per year due to twigs or reeds in the eye, despite wearing caps.