Asterix and Obelix did it. The Kings of France did it. The man next door does it. ---- In an area of France where many of the village schools are disappearing, where village churches seldom hold regular services and where the small boulangeries are fast disappearing, the local Chasse is often the last bastion keeping the community flag flying. This time of year it is best to take out a good life insurance, check that your last will and testament and affairs are in order, put on your brightest fluorescent clothes - and - to be on the safe side - practise your shrillest whistle - when going into the woods for your daily stroll! The hunters are out and about in the French countryside and anything that moves is a target!
Anything? Well, the fact that at least a few people get shot and even killed every year during the chasse, is not necessarily planned, but, what game is it that the hunters are then actually after?
The generic term "gibier" relates to any wild creature that can be caught and eaten. This is what the solitary huntsman is looking for. Small game, rabbits, hares, pheasant or duck, or perhaps even a large thrush or two. Anything that can be turned into a tasty pot roast or a terrine to enjoy with crusty bread.
Groups of men spread out along a lane, acting as a team, are usually after bigger game, the "chevreuil" or deer, or the "sanglier" or wild boar. The shooting of both these animals is strictly licenced and regulated so hunting for them is a carefully organized joint operation.With so much game regularly hunted and caught in the Dordogne, it obviously plays a large part in the cooking of the region. The best introduction to local recipes for the bigger game is to attend the local chasse dinners.
Smaller game is more easily available to the shopper and cookery books in both English and French are full of ideas to use.
(See: Rabbit casserole below)
The Ultimate hunting boy's toy:
Apart from the checked shirts, the peaked caps, the orange or red jackets and the dogs, there is also the tree house. High in the trees, reachable only by a rickety ladder, you may spot these big tree houses. Do not be fooled. This is not a Wendy house for big boys, but a hide built for the hunters of the "palombe", or wood pigeon or collar dove. Some of these hides appear to be derelict -- so mucy better for the camouflage! and others are more obviously in use - with a captive pigeon hung outside to tempt its fellows to come closer.
And of course, the beauty of these hides are that even if you never shoot a pigeon, or anything else, you get a precious few hours with your copains and away from the wife and bureaucracy........
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