From Corriere dell'Umbria of 04.09.2024 AN ENDLESS HUNT - by Chiara Ortolani It's already night, you're sleeping, then suddenly something wakes you up, with a start, you don't even really understand what it is. It's summer, it's hot, the windows are open, a flash of light enters your room, what is it? Lightning? Then you're confused, but right after a second gunshot makes you jump out of your skin and realize what it is: a hunter, probably not a poacher, probably a selector (but that's not the title of a Hollywood movie). The selector is the new trick to keep hunting open all year round and even at times when during the "normal" hunting season it would not be possible to practice it. And in this way, no one talks about it. People think that hunting, as every year, ends in January (generally speaking) and that then finally there is a period of respite until September, both for the animals and for the people who do not hunt. Instead, hunting continues, and in recent years it has increased, and so, practically, the whole year is covered. Wild boar, deer, roe deer, and fallow deer can be killed, at different times, thus covering every month with hunting activity. And so, even animals that were previously protected, now are no longer. By declaring that they are overpopulated, the pastime of those who hunt for passion is allowed. Fallow deer and roe deer, which I waited more than thirty years to see in the area where I live, can now be killed. As I also carry out wildlife monitoring actions in the area where I live and which I manage as a protected area, I do not notice any alarming density, simply now every so often you are lucky enough to see (on camera traps) some roe deer and very rare fallow deer. And after thirty years, when finally the populations have managed to increase, we reduce them, probably to never see them again or see them very little. In this way, other people are deprived of their own passion, not those who go hunting, but those who love to observe wildlife, photograph it, live in nature and enjoy everything that is part of nature, all those organisms that make up Nature. If all the animals were killed, would there still be nature? There would certainly be trees, plants, but alone, could they be Nature? And if there were no animals, those who have hunting as a passion, how could they practice this passion? How would they find the animals they seek so much? By going abroad? Shooting at farm-raised pheasants or hares? But how can a real hunter feel like a hunter shooting at animals that stagger in the middle of the road? Why not let wildlife repopulate naturally during the period when the hunting season is, or rather should be, closed? Wildlife should have the chance to recover in specific areas where hunting is not allowed throughout the year and during the period from January to September - October. This would allow those who are passionate about hunting to be able to hunt with dignity and have something to shoot at that is not a chicken or domesticated wild boars, tamed with feed to get them used to it and then shoot them conveniently. But what kind of hunting is that? What glory is there in that? Let's at least stop with selection hunting, because, let's tell the truth, it is not done because of overabundance of animals, but to satisfy the desire to shoot of many. And if the passion for hunting is legitimate, shooting all year round is not: it's not good for the wildlife, it's not good for those who hunt, and it's not good for all the other people who do not hunt. With selection hunting we are more sequestered than before, more than when there is the "normal" hunting season. Those who want to enjoy nature, go hiking, observe wildlife, take groups of nature enthusiasts to do outdoor activities are afraid, afraid of getting hit by a bullet. And selection hunting is also practiced at night. And people, especially in summer, have the right to go out at night, without fear of being injured, they have the right to enjoy the same animals that are killed by the selectors. They have the right to enjoy them as much as hunters do. The passion of those who do not hunt is not worth less. People, finally, also have the right to sleep, without being woken up with a start during summer nights. We shouldn't have to live under curfew, we are not at war. We cannot have hunting that takes place all year round, we must protect everyone's rights: of wildlife to have months of peace, of people who do not hunt, but also of the hunters themselves, because this year-round activity will bring nothing good to their passion, the object of their passion will be consumed, nature will be consumed, and true hunters will have nothing left to shoot at. I appeal to the Region of Umbria, to the people I know are very competent and experienced who work there, but I appeal above all to the hunters: everyone can cultivate their own passion, a balance can be reached. You just have to respect the passions of others, or simply others, whatever species they belong to.