Succulent opportunity
And here we go again! For the umpteenth time, we're being crudely attacked, without any concrete reason, other than to point to the usual culprit: THE HUNTER. Enough! We're referring to the statements made by the Coldiretti association , represented by the president of the Turin province, reported in newspapers and reiterated in some television segments. These statements, which rather confusingly describe the possibility of starting wild boar hunting on September 1st, sell it as the most "juicy" of opportunities. All this, if this "phantom" opportunity is true, attacks our profession, as they have always done. So let's clear things up a bit, but let's delve into the details, including legal ones.
An activity, a passion
Given that hunters, who pay a lot of money (the only ones who truly pay for everything) to hunt, do so as and when they want, always strictly adhering to the regulations, we must remind EVERYONE that this activity is our passion and we are not anyone's employees (and not even for free). Regarding the controversy surrounding the possibility of opening on September 1st, we would like to make some clarifications:
Ordinance no. 4 of the extraordinary commissioner, while giving this possibility (I specify...IT IS NOT AN OBLIGATION), reserves this indication EXCLUSIVELY in the Buffer area (cut equal to 20km from the restriction zone1).
Short deadlines
Consequently, it is immediately clear that all the management bodies, especially given the extremely limited time, would not have had the time to amend and produce any regulations that would protect hunters. This regulation also REQUIRES the observance of some fundamental rules (we specify for those who have not read or understood the ordinance):
1) In addition to the health check for trichinella, a protocol already consolidated for years, it is mandatory to sample the spleen for PSA checks (I repeat...required only in the Buffer area).
2) The management of carcasses must take place through specific indications and procedures that go beyond normal and usual activities.
3) In this health situation (any possible failure to comply could result in criminal proceedings), particular attention must be paid to all required procedures.
4) From what we know, the relevant ATCs, in a completely transparent manner, after having listened to the opinions of all the wild boar teams authorised in the area, have made a decision in the management committee, opening regular hunting activities on October 1st.
Damage protection
These decisions were made by analyzing the many situations in our territory:
Pending harvests... for this reason, given that hunting is absolutely prohibited on crop-bearing land, wild boar hunters have asked to begin hunting 15 days later, as the regional hunting calendar states, as a possible variation. This would help them, given that many of these plots are already free of this obligation. But instead of understanding this situation, they are accused of being unwilling to take action to protect themselves from damage. The question is: are they asking us to commit crimes? Another significant reason is the poor visibility due to the still very dense vegetation, which offers very limited visibility. For obvious safety reasons, the more leaves fall, the more relaxed one can hunt.
Different protocols
It should also be noted that the first two weeks of hunting in September typically see the lowest numbers of kills of the entire season. Statistically, it is indisputably better to extend the hunting season throughout January than to open earlier in September. The aforementioned ordinance, once adopted, requires, for obvious reasons, two staggered openings, and would have forced the authorities to close hunting season, as per the regional calendar, on January 2st, while also having to produce two different regulations and protocols (different from each other?). We ask: wouldn't it have been better to decide to hunt throughout January? In the committee, all ATCs and CAs decide transparently and openly, by a show of hands, on any measure. All stakeholders from the various categories represented, if present, are required to express their opinions and voice their grievances.
Negative instrumentalization
If, as we've been told, the management committees have decided "by majority" and through democratic voting to make these decisions, these decisions, in our opinion, are neither questionable nor open to criticism, given that they are voted on in an appropriate and transparent manner. Only at the committee level can such decisions be changed, democratically, constructively, and proactively, and not by simply publishing slogans on a newspaper page, throwing dust in the eyes of readers, or those who, unfortunately, don't understand how complicated, confusing, and cumbersome the situation really is! EXPLOITATION does nothing good; it only creates disadvantages for all stakeholders and only gives room to "vultures" who are simply looking for "numbers" to infiltrate a system that, riddled with bureaucratic weaknesses, would ultimately succumb, and obviously... TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF EVERYONE!
Time will be a gentleman
Is this our responsibility? Are these the alternatives? Is this the goal we intend to achieve? Well, if the morning is a good indicator of the day, we believe it will unfortunately be a long and gloomy day, with unbreathable air. That said, time will be a gentleman, and we hunters will always be vigilant to prevent this from happening, opposing all forms of unjust accusations and rebukes; ALWAYS, especially when these are made through the press without serious, responsible, and conscientious discussion. However, we remain open to any discussion, in any setting, for the good of the interested groups and the entire community. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE! (Regional President of Arci Caccia Piemonte – Remo CALCAGNO).
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