A few weeks before the release of the sheep to graze. And from this Wednesday, April 1st, new provisions to ease defense shots come into effect, according to a decree issued by the government in February. Details.
It is a decree of February 23, 2026 that will take effect on April 1st in Corrèze, a department where the presence of the wolf is active. This decree provides for a certain relaxation of certain rules, while affirming that hunting the wolf is prohibited. This concerns first the quota of wolf removal, which has been increased from 19 to 21% for 2026. This means that the number of wolves that can be removed nationally is 227.
The other evolution lies in the relaxation of defense shots. If before, it was necessary to have a prefectural authorization, now, a “simple” declaration on the simplified steps platform will be useful to carry out this defense shot. “This breeder can shoot himself, or have a hunter shoot in very specific conditions, it’s not done just any way,” reminded the prefect of Corrèze, Vincent Berton. “A wolf must be close to the herd and pose a threat to the herd,” explains the prefect, “in particular the breeder should not shoot with a night vision rifle, it must be done in very strict conditions.” This concerns the 12 communes of circle 1 on the Millevaches plateau, whose map has been communicated.
Protection of livestock as protection of the protected species that is the wolf
The third important development is the possibility of carrying out removal shots, explains the prefect. “It means not only protection shots, but dynamic shots in very precise areas,” but for this, it will be exceptional and granted by the prefect in agreement with the coordinating prefect of the wolf plan.
This relaxation follows demands raised by agricultural unions. “The protection of livestock in Haute-Corrèze is essential as it structures the economy of this territory. This new system also reconciles balance with the protection of a protected species, the wolf,” adds Vincent Berton.
This winter, bovine predations have been “limited, even though it is already far too much,” emphasizes the prefect, who reports four to five bovine predations. Vincent Berton also points out that state services will be “very vigilant” in the Millevaches plateau area.
