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The principle of hunting with hounds...
Practiced for over 7,000 years, hunting that combines humans and hounds is one of the oldest forms of hunting. In this form of hunting, it is the pack of hounds that pursues a single animal, as wolves do. Although criticized because it is little known, it has never been so popular, since 400 hunting crews exist in France and bring together nearly 100,000 followers during hunting days across the country and from all social backgrounds. Contrary to popular belief, stag hunting is the least widespread because it is practiced only by 35 crews. Conversely, hare hunting is the most practiced in our countryside by hunters on foot and not on horseback.
At The Fontainebleau Hunt Club, we hunt stag.
The Fontainebleau Hunt Club in a few figures
Photo gallery
"Listen and be quiet"
Is the Fontainebleau hunt club motto, referring to listening to dogs
A truly ecological hunt...
Although it does not have the important material impact of hunting with a gun on regulation of animal populations, hunting with hounds is the only type of hunting that allows one to respect a fundamental law for the preservation of biodiversity, the law of the strongest. This selection of the weakest animals is only possible thanks to hounds and not thanks to humans.Hounds have the ability to detect weaknesses in an animal that are invisible to humans.
For example, 165 stag (stag, does and fawns) were taken during shooting in the Fontainebleau massif in 2023/2024, following the hunting plan established by the ONF (National Forestry Office). This plan is redefined each year based on the animals observed per sector during nights of counting.
For comparison, the Fontainebleau Rallye only took 6 stags from this massif over the same period. However, of these 6 stag, 3 had deficiencies that would not have allowed them to survive in an environment with bears and wolves. One had a broken foot, and the other 2 had significant internal hematomas, visible only when cut, probably the result of collisions with cars on the roads. Taking these animals as a priority is essential to avoid the development and circulation of diseases, to which these weaker animals are more exposed.
This also helps to maintain a population made up of the strongest individuals.
Furthermore, animals that are not caught during a hunt (this is the case in 80% of hunts in Fontainebleau) have been stressed… and contrary to popular belief, this stress is essential to the preservation of the wild. This helps to preserve the intelligence, instinct and endurance of the animals.
Given the number of hunts we do on the Fontainebleau massif and the existing stag population, we can deduce that approximately half of the stag present in the hunting areas are hunted at least once a year. Altogether therefore , this is extremely rare per individual, but fundamental.
Discovering The Fontainebleau Hunt Club
The Hounds
There are several breeds of hounds used in hunting. For large hunting (hunting stag, wild boar and roe deer), the Anglo-French large hounds, Poitevin and Fox Hound are preferred. For smaller hunting (hunting hare, fox and rabbit), the Anglo-French small hounds, Bassets and Beagles are more commonly used.
At the Rallye Fontainebleau, even if we have blood in our houndsfrom several breeds, we mainly have Anglo-French large hounds.
Our kennel hasabout 130 hounds, including about 30 puppies and 20 retired hounds. Thus, our pack suitable for hunting is made up of 80 hounds. However, for each hunt, we have between 30 and 40 of them and we establish a rotation of hounds according to their age, quality and complicity.
So knowing each hound, its character, its qualities and its faults is essential to understanding hunting and what they are trying to tell us through their behavior.
The horses
Reformed from racing, the horses used in hunting are mostly trotters. Reliable, cold and enduring, they adapt very well to the needs of hunting.
We get them when they are 4 or 5 years old when they are not fast enough to continue racing and it is not uncommon to hunt with them until they are over over 20 years old.
Thanks to hunting, we prevent around 1,000 horses from being slaughtered each year.
When they are too old to continue hunting with hounds, our horses end their lives in the meadow, generally with their owner.
Fontainebleau Hunt Club : a long history
Hunting in Fontainebleau has more than 1000 years of history. It was king Francis the 1st who, passionate about the forest and in love with hunting, had the castle built as we know it today and encouraged the development of the city.
Without hunting, Fontainebleau would certainly not be the same today.
During all these years, different crews have succeeded one another. It was in 1978 that Edouard Fougea created the Fontainebleau Hunt Club following the Rallye Franchard.
For almost 50 years, several masters of the crew have succeeded one another, Pierre Rayer, Charles Fougea, Frédéric Fougea, Claire Fougea and Matthieu Payet-Godel, as well as several huntsmen living at the kennel, including Guy Rainfray, Hourvari, Vol au Vent and La Fougère today. (The crew employees are given a "hunting name" at their first job, which they keep throughout their career).
How to attend a hunt?
Anyone can follow a hunt with us. Contrary to popular belief, riders only represent 30% of the participants. The rest of the followers are on foot, bikes or in cars.
To follow, simply contact us and we will find a date to welcome you, on horseback, by bike or by car.
Please note that it is possible to rent a horse for the day, since two horse rental companies have been with us for many years. However, it is necessary to know how to trot to be comfortable. Depending on your level, the rental company will provide you with a suitable horse.
Following a hunt is free, however it is customary to leave a small ticket for what is called the hound soup. Expect to pay between 50 and 100 euros.
What does a typical day look like?
1. Wood
From daybreak until the official meeting, some members track the movements of the animals.
2. The report
This is the official meeting. We introduce the guests and choose the "break", the place where we will take the dogs to attack.
3. Hunting
It can last between 2 hours and 30 minutes and depends on the work of the hounds and the path of the stag.
4. The picnic
The opportunity to eat a bite together (everyone brings something) and debrief the hunt.
How to become a member?
We operate at The Fontainebleau Hunt Club as an association under the 1901 law. Today we have 120 members following different levels of contributions. This level depends on your frequency of visits and whether you follow on horseback or not.
To become a member, you will need to submit a request which will be studied by the committee.
If you adhere to the values of the crew, then we will be delighted to welcome you and share this beautiful passion together.
