Fee Increasing: "Hunting is Not Reserved for the Rich," Says Frederic Merle

Gaëtan Oudin has a passion for hunting and is particularly initiative that hunters gathered to reflect this "little consideration of the authorities." A petition was sent to the Finance Minister Xavier-Luc Duval, but had no answer, he said. "We invited the Minister of Youth and Sports, but he did not come and did not send any officer to replace him," said Mr. Oudin. The organizer of the event says it will not sell and he contacted the Prime Minister's Office and if nothing is done a protest seems the best solution for him.

Mr Oudin tells Le Mauricien that the annual fees have increased from Rs 500 in 2006 to Rs 2500 in 2007and to Rs 3000 – Rs 8000 in 2013 - for the Game License and Rs 5000 for Firearm Licence. Gaëtan Oudin said that the hunter has to pay Rs 5000 per rifle, the ammunition prices are rising and there are other expenses. The hunter needs to raise dogs and expensive. "There is also the Competency Certificate and fees that go along with that costs Rs 2,000," he says.

For its part, a man named Vinay describes himself as an "average hunter" and argues that "it is disheartening when you have to spend about Rs 13,000 for sports." He says he also has to pay for another license in order to raise hunting dogs. For another, hunting is a family tradition and some people are now retired and it is difficult for them to pay such fees.

"I am afraid that the Mauritian government thinks that hunting is restricted to an elite. Hunters are not all wealthy owners! , "Says Frédéric Robin from Société des Chasseurs de l’Île Maurice. He also spoke of repairing guns that it is hard to Mauritius. "Theoretically, even the owner of the gun did not have the right to repair. The only person who repairs guns now could leave the country for some time. " And argue that several requests were made for the right to repair guns, but no application has been considered for years.

Several stakeholders and the public put forward their views and problems hunters face. "It is time that the Minister of Sports realizes that hunting is a sport and should promote ... There is no reason for this dishonor, however, we need to offer more facilities," says one another hunter. Some say they favor the creation of a federation like the sister Island.