Our Heritage & Mission
Our Journey and Mission: Preserving the Heritage of Tarascon-sur-Ariège
At the Association Communale de Chasse Agréée (ACCA) de Tarascon-sur-Ariège (ID: W091001906), we believe that the soul of the Ariège landscape lies in its biodiversity, its rugged terrain, and the age-old traditions that connect us to the land. As a registered nonprofit governed by the laws of sport and conservation, we serve as the primary guardians of our local ecosystem.
Who We Are
Founded on the principles of community and environmental responsibility, our association operates under the NAF code 93.19Z. While we are classified under “Sports and Recreational Activities,” our role extends far beyond the hunt. We are an integral part of the Tarascon-sur-Ariège social fabric, acting as a bridge between the natural world and the people who call this region home.
Our Mission: A Commitment to Balance
Our mission is not defined by a single action, but by a delicate balance of ecological management and cultural preservation. We exist to ensure that the wildlife and the lands of Tarascon-sur-Ariège thrive for generations to come.
Our core objectives include:
Biodiversity Development: We actively favor the development of game species through habitat management and sustainable population monitoring.
Ecological Regulation: We play a vital role in the destruction of harmful species (nuisibles) that threaten the agricultural health and biological equilibrium of our territory.
Anti-Poaching Advocacy: We are the first line of defense in the repression of poaching, ensuring that all interactions with wildlife are ethical, legal, and respectful.
Cynogenetic Education: We believe in “Education through Action.” We train our members in the highest standards of hunting ethics, safety, and environmental science.
Respect for Private Property: We operate with a strict mandate to respect the properties and harvests of our local farmers and landowners, fostering a spirit of mutual cooperation.
Our Vision: The Future of the Ariège Wilderness
We envision a future where the mountains of Tarascon-sur-Ariège remain vibrant and wild, where hunters are recognized as the “Sentinels of the Forest,” and where the tradition of the hunt evolves in harmony with modern conservation science.
Our vision is built on three pillars:
Coexistence: A community where hunters, hikers, farmers, and nature enthusiasts share the landscape with mutual respect.
Sustainability: Using data-driven methods to ensure that no species is over-harvested and that the natural “green lungs” of our commune are protected.
Legacy: Passing down the skills of tracking, safety, and nature lore to the next generation, ensuring they understand the responsibility of being a steward of the earth.
Our Core Values
Our association is guided by a strict code of ethics. These values are the “North Star” for every member who wears our badge.
| Value | What it Means to Us |
| Ethics & Integrity | We hunt with honor. This means following the law to the letter and showing unwavering respect for the animal and the environment. |
| Safety First | As members of the Convention Collective Nationale du Sport (CCNS), we treat safety as a non-negotiable priority for our members and the public. |
| Civic Responsibility | We protect the harvests and lands of our neighbors. We are partners to the local agricultural community, not just visitors on their land. |
| Scientific Stewardship | We don’t just observe; we manage. Our actions are based on the need to maintain a healthy, balanced population of local fauna. |
Our Impact: Why Our Work Matters
The work of the ACCA de Tarascon-sur-Ariège is often invisible to the naked eye, but its impact is felt throughout the valley. Without our intervention, the balance between nature and civilization would falter.
Protecting the Local Economy
By managing the population of invasive or harmful species, we directly protect the livelihoods of local farmers. Crop destruction can be devastating to small-scale Ariège agriculture; our regulated activities provide a necessary shield for their harvests.
Public Safety and Health
Through the repression of poaching and the regulation of wildlife, we help prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and reduce the risk of wildlife-related accidents on our local roads.
A Community of Education
We take our role as educators seriously. We provide a structured environment where members learn the biology of our local species, the geography of our commune, and the technical skills required for safe, responsible hunting.
Governance and Transparency
As a transparent nonprofit organization, we operate under the following identifiers:
Official Name: Association Communale de Chasse Agréée de Tarascon-sur-Ariège
Association ID: W091001906
Activity Code (NAF/APE): 93.19Z (Other sports-related activities)
Collective Agreement: Sport (CCNS) – IDCC 2511
We are committed to regular reporting and open dialogue with the municipal authorities and the residents of Tarascon-sur-Ariège. Our activities are conducted in accordance with the departmental hunting management plans and national environmental laws.
The ASSOCIATION COMMUNALE DE CHASSE AGREEE DE TARASCON-SUR-ARIEGE was founded with a clear purpose: to ensure responsible, ethical, and sustainable wildlife management while preserving the natural heritage of our territory for present and future generations. Rooted in community values and environmental respect, our organization brings together hunters, land users, and local stakeholders who share a common commitment to balance, conservation, and education.
From our earliest days, our association has served not only as a regulatory body for hunting activities but also as a steward of biodiversity and rural ecosystems. We believe that structured, well-managed hunting—guided by science, regulation, and ethics—plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance. Over time, we have grown into a trusted local institution that supports wildlife development, prevents illegal practices, and fosters cooperation between people and nature.
Our journey is built on collaboration, responsibility, and continuous improvement. Each season, each program, and each initiative is designed to strengthen our environment and our community ties.
Our Mission
Our mission is to manage and regulate hunting activities within our territory in a responsible, sustainable, and community-centered way. We are committed to protecting wildlife populations, supporting habitat conservation, and ensuring that all hunting practices follow strict safety, legal, and environmental standards.
We work actively to:
Promote sustainable game development and biodiversity protection
Regulate and organize hunting activities in accordance with laws and environmental guidelines
Control harmful and invasive species that threaten ecological balance
Prevent poaching and illegal wildlife exploitation
Educate members on safety, ethics, and environmental stewardship
Protect agricultural lands, forests, and natural habitats
Build cooperation between hunters, landowners, farmers, and local authorities
Our mission goes beyond hunting. It is about guardianship of nature. We see our role as caretakers of the land, ensuring that wildlife management contributes positively to the ecosystem and to the broader community.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a model territory where wildlife management, environmental protection, and community participation work together in harmony. We strive for a future where regulated hunting is widely recognized as a responsible conservation tool and where natural resources are preserved through knowledge, discipline, and shared responsibility.
We envision:
Healthy and balanced wildlife populations
Protected and restored natural habitats
Strong cooperation between rural stakeholders
A new generation educated in ethical hunting and conservation practices
Transparent and well-governed wildlife management systems
Community trust in sustainable hunting frameworks
We aim to be a reference association known for integrity, environmental leadership, and community engagement. Through innovation, education, and careful regulation, we seek to continuously improve how wildlife territories are managed and respected.
Our Core Values
Our organization is guided by a set of core values that shape every decision, program, and activity we undertake.
Responsibility
We believe that managing wildlife is a serious responsibility. Every member is expected to follow rules, respect limits, and act with awareness toward nature, people, and property. Responsibility guides our hunting practices, safety measures, and conservation efforts.
Sustainability
We are committed to long-term ecological balance. Our actions are based on maintaining species populations at healthy levels, protecting habitats, and ensuring that today’s activities do not harm tomorrow’s environment.
Respect for Nature
Nature is not a resource to exploit—it is a system to protect. We promote deep respect for wildlife, landscapes, forests, and agricultural lands. Ethical conduct in the field is a non-negotiable principle.
Community Cooperation
Our association is built on cooperation. We work closely with landowners, farmers, local authorities, and residents to ensure that wildlife management benefits everyone. Dialogue and partnership are central to our approach.
Education and Awareness
Knowledge is essential for safe and sustainable practice. We prioritize training and awareness programs that teach safety rules, environmental responsibility, species knowledge, and legal compliance.
Integrity and Transparency
We operate with honesty and openness. Rules are applied fairly, decisions are documented, and members are informed. Trust is the foundation of our association’s credibility.
Our Role in Wildlife Management
Effective wildlife management requires planning, monitoring, and adaptation. Our association carries out structured programs that support game development and ecosystem balance. We monitor species populations, adjust hunting quotas where necessary, and follow seasonal regulations designed to protect breeding cycles and habitat stability.
We also play an important role in controlling harmful or invasive species whose unchecked growth can damage crops, threaten native wildlife, or disrupt ecosystems. These control measures are carried out responsibly, legally, and with ecological awareness.
Habitat support is another key pillar of our work. We encourage land practices that benefit biodiversity, including habitat preservation, feeding programs where appropriate, and collaboration on land-use strategies that protect wildlife corridors.
Safety and Ethical Standards
Safety is central to everything we do. We maintain strict safety protocols for all hunting activities and require members to follow national and local regulations at all times. Training sessions, safety briefings, and field guidelines help ensure that every activity is conducted with maximum care.
Ethical hunting standards are equally important. We promote fair chase principles, humane practices, and disciplined behavior in the field. Respect for other land users—walkers, farmers, residents—is emphasized at all times.
Our association also actively supports anti-poaching efforts. Illegal hunting threatens both wildlife and community trust. We work with authorities and local partners to prevent violations and promote lawful conduct.
Member Education and Engagement
Our members are at the heart of our organization. We invest in their development through educational programs, workshops, and information sessions covering:
Wildlife identification and behavior
Environmental regulations
Hunting safety practices
Habitat conservation methods
Legal compliance requirements
Ethical field conduct
By strengthening member knowledge, we strengthen conservation outcomes. Education ensures that each participant becomes not only a hunter, but also a steward of nature.
We also encourage active participation in association life through meetings, planning sessions, volunteer programs, and conservation initiatives. This shared involvement builds accountability and pride.
Commitment to Land and Agriculture
We recognize the importance of maintaining positive relationships with farmers and landowners. Wildlife management must coexist with agricultural productivity and property rights. Our structured programs help reduce crop damage, manage animal pressures, and respond to local concerns.
Respect for land boundaries, crops, and infrastructure is strictly enforced among members. We promote communication and cooperation so that wildlife management supports rural sustainability rather than conflicts with it.
