Hunting: Passion for Rich?

At age nine, Jean Claude D'Avoine, passionate about hunting, already handled the gun from his father. Today, at 49, this resident of Baie du Tombeau expressed concern that hunting became a hobby only for the rich. In late December, each hunter will have to pay Rs 5,000 more than last year to renew the necessary permits. Sporting Hunters Association, of which he is a member, has denounced the increase during a press conference Friday, Nov. 22, at the social center Marie Reine de la Paix in Port-Louis.

" Personally, nothing will push me to get my gun. But unfortunately, those who can not pay fees will gradually be forced to do so , "said Jean Claude D'Avoine. Autotal, he believes the number of hunters in Mauritius about 3000. After a government decision at the end of December 2013, those with a shotgun will have to pay Rs 3000 pourun Game License and Rs 5,000 for a Firearm License . Last year, they had paid the sum of Rs 1,500 for each license. " At first, the Firearm License was Rs 90.75! And now ... "he said, shaking his head, annoyed.

But when he delves into his memories, Jean Claude D'Avoine the kid becomes fascinated by the shotgun from his father, a former police superintendent. " I was six years old when I took my father to hunt in the forest , "he recounts.

Glittering eyes, he also says how he had handled the gun from his father for the first time when he was nine years old. " I begged him so he relented. then I shot in the air and I was thrown to the ground because of the decline , "he said, shaking with laughter.

But the fascination and perseverance were pushing the little hunter to shoot his first game at the age of eleven. " It was a deer ... , "he says. And since love for hunting has never abandoned Jean Claude D'Avoine. For this father, hunting is an art. Sometimes he just has to walk in the forest with his " pack "for he is a happy man.