More people being shot in hunting accidents
‘ Abuse’ has also increased as more people head into the countryside
THE START of the 2020/ 2021 hunting season has brought an increasing number of incidents affecting people who simply want to enjoy the peace and quiet of natural spaces, ecologists have complained.
Indeed, a question from regional party Compromís revealed that nine people in Alicante province have been shot by hunting firearms accidentally going off so far this year, one of whom died.
The NGO Ecologistas en Acción noted that the Covid- 19 crisis has resulted in people spending more time in the countryside, and so the number of threats, abuses and attacks has also increased.
They say that the authorities warn non- hunters to avoid areas of countryside – including public spaces – but do not require hunters to signpost and respect safety areas, nor do they remind them not to shoot in places where people could be passing through or engaging in other activities.
Santa Pola town hall recently issued a warning to people who visit the municipality’s
sierra that for their own safety they should stick to the main paths and not stray across open countryside.
Rabbit and partridge hunting is permitted in the game reserve there between 09.00 and 14.00 on October 12, 18 and 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, and December 6, 8, 13 and 20.
While the authorities warn walkers and cyclists to keep one eye on the path and to look out for hunters with the other, the law says it is the hunters who should be more careful.
“The people practising a dangerous activity by using firearms are the ones who are obliged to respect public areas and avoid situations that might endanger other people,” they said.
“No space escapes the limitations and threats that hunting causes to hikers, cyclists and nature tourists; even in natural parks signs saying ‘ danger, hunting’ ( peligro, montería) appear on signposted routes and ecological routes along public pathways are cut off.”
The ecologists lament that the ministry for agriculture and regional governments show ‘ clear support’ for hunting, ‘ but forget that the natural world is a place for activities that are much more important from an environmental, social and economic point of view’.
The NGO has published a useful ‘ manual to defend your rights in nature’ ( Manual para defender tus derechos en la naturaleza), which offers ‘ reasoned and practical advice to tackle the abuses, dangers and impacts of hunting that affect recreational, sporting and nature tourism use of the countryside’.
It has 59 pages which cover the most common situations that arise in game reserves and the problems caused by their owners.
It costs € 10, the proceeds from which will fund their campaigns to defend public access and the environment, and can be ordered from their website at https:// ecologistasenaccion. org/ 119978