This past weekend, the french Federation of Arc Hunters (FFCA) convened its annual general assembly at the Game Fair, a prominent hunting and nature expo. This year’s event held special significance, marking the 30th anniversary of official archery hunting regulations in France, which were established in February 1995. The FFCA, founded in 1986 when only seven archery hunting associations existed, has dedicated itself too gaining recognition for this age-old practice as a legitimate hunting method. After years of advocacy-the first archery hunting association emerged in 1969-a ministerial decree was finally enacted in 1995 to govern the sport.
Archery Hunting in France: Still Going Strong After 30 Years
Table of Contents
- Archery Hunting in France: Still Going Strong After 30 Years
- Archery Hunting: A Modern, Challenging, and Accessible Sport
- A Vision Rooted in education, Training, and Passion
- Archery Hunting: An Eye on the Future
- Key Data and Developments in French Archery Hunting (2024-2025)
- FAQ: Archery Hunting in France
Three decades later, archery hunting in France thrives, fueled by a passionate and well-organized community committed to passing on their expertise. From June 2024 to May 2025, the FFCA reported several encouraging developments:
- Membership exceeded 3,000, spread across 95 active associations in mainland France and French Guiana, marking the second consecutive year of growth.
- Approximately 150 days of mandatory archery training were conducted with the support of 400 volunteer national instructors, attracting around 3,000 participants-men and women-eager to learn or refine their skills in this demanding discipline.
- The FFCA’s internal program trained 47 new instructors and enhanced the expertise of 45 existing ones, focusing on bow tuning and archery hunting pedagogy, representing an investment of over 200 days. Local associations throughout France organized hundreds of workshops, serving as vital training grounds for shooting techniques, equipment adjustment, maintenance, and archery tactics.
Archery Hunting: A Modern, Challenging, and Accessible Sport
Today, archery hunting takes place in diverse environments-plains, forests, marshes, and mountains-and encompasses various hunting styles, including stand hunting, stalking, and group hunts involving archers or mixed groups of archers and firearm hunters. All game species are targeted, and all types of bows-conventional, recurve, and compound-are utilized. Shooting distances,typically short (averaging between 9 and 13 meters for big game),reflect a strong ethical commitment. Ever closer
is one of the FFCA’s three core values, alongside Hunt light
and Create the conditions for an easy shot
. This demanding and respectful hunting method is attracting a growing number of participants, now encompassing four generations of hunters united by their passion and desire to share their knowledge.This mirrors the growth of archery in the US, where archery is accessible to a wide range of people [[1]].
A Vision Rooted in education, Training, and Passion
During the assembly, FFCA President Éric de Lavenne emotionally emphasized the foundational principles of the institution:
“Archery hunting is a contact hunt, a master’s hunt. We can be proud of the inheritance transmitted by those who have enabled its regulatory recognition,and the culture of the transmission which animates our movement.”
Éric de Lavenne, President of the FFCA
He reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to prioritizing education and training to ensure the lasting and informed recruitment of new practitioners. This focus on education aligns with the broader accessibility of archery as a sport [[2]].
“Our triptych-education, training, transmission-has made France a large country of archery. And as all hunting methods are stunning, the FFCA will also continue to militate tirelessly for hunting.”
Éric de Lavenne,president of the FFCA
Archery Hunting: An Eye on the Future
Bolstered by solid results,a strong identity,and unwavering dedication,French archery hunting confidently enters its fourth decade of regulation. In an evolving hunting landscape, the FFCA demonstrates that it is indeed possible to harmonize tradition, technical precision, environmental consciousness, and community spirit. Like its values,archery hunting continues to strive for closer engagement,deeper understanding,improved knowledge transfer,and enhanced hunting practices. This dedication to improvement and accessibility makes archery a sport with global appeal.
Key Data and Developments in French Archery Hunting (2024-2025)
| Feature | Description | Insight/Impact |
| ——————- | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————- | ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Membership Growth | Exceeded 3,000 members, across 95 active associations in mainland France and French Guiana.| Represents the second consecutive year of growth, indicating sustained interest and community engagement in archery hunting. |
| Training Days | Approximately 150 days of mandatory training sessions led by 400 volunteer national instructors. Attracted approximately 3,000 participants. | Demonstrates a strong commitment to education and skill development, supporting the ethical and safe practice of archery hunting. |
| Instructor Training | FFCA’s internal program trained 47 new instructors and enhanced the expertise of 45 existing ones, focusing on bow tuning and archery hunting pedagogy. | Highlights the French federation’s investment in their people, ensuring the transmission of knowledge to maintain archery hunting practices’ longevity. |
| Workshop Activity | Hundreds of workshops organized by local associations throughout France. | Provides vital training grounds for bow techniques, equipment adjustment, maintenance, and archery tactics. |
| hunting Styles | Archery hunting takes place in diverse environments with numerous hunting styles: stand hunting,stalking,and group hunts. | Reflects the adaptability and versatility of archery hunting, catering to varied preferences and terrains, and fostering a sense of diversity among practitioners. |
| Ethics and Safety | Short shooting distances (averaging 9-13 meters for big game) reflecting a strong ethical commitment. | Shows the value of ethics and the importance of the values of “Ever closer”, “Hunt light”, and “Create the conditions for an easy shot” that have become key aspects of archery hunting practices. |
| Intergenerational interest | The sport encompasses 4 generations of hunters. | Shows that archery hunting is a family sport that is being passed down. It emphasizes expertise, authority, and trustworthiness of the sport. |
FAQ: Archery Hunting in France
Q: What is archery hunting?
A: Archery hunting is a hunting method that uses bows and arrows to take down game. It’s been practiced for centuries [[2]], and in France, archery hunting is a regulated sport with a strong focus on ethical practices and skill. The article references stand hunting, stalking, group hunts, or individual hunting activities.
Q: How long has archery hunting been regulated in France?
A: Archery hunting regulations in France were officially established in February 1995, making the 2024-2025 period the 30th anniversary of regulated archery hunting in the country. The first archery hunting association emerged in 1969.
Q: What types of bows are used in archery hunting in France?
A: All types of bows are utilized, including conventional, recurve, and compound bows.
Q: How is training and education emphasized in French archery hunting?
A: The FFCA prioritizes education and training. They conduct mandatory training sessions and internal programs to train instructors. They also promote local workshops. The focus is on ensuring new practitioners are well-informed and capable of practicing archery hunting safely and ethically.
Q: Where does archery hunting take place in france?
A: It takes place in diverse environments, including plains, forests, marshes, and mountains. This variety offers archers unique hunting experiences.
Q: Are there different styles of archery hunting used in France?
A: Yes, archery hunting involves various styles, encompassing stand hunting, stalking, and group hunts. So there is a variety of hunting styles.
Q: What are the core values of archery hunting in France?
A: The FFCA has three core values: “Ever closer,” “Hunt light,” and “create the conditions for an easy shot.” These values illustrate a commitment to ethical hunting practices.
Q: How accessible is archery?
A: Archery is accessible because of it being a sport that welcomes hunters from multiple generations and accessible equipment [[1]].
