I and my two friends Hannah Jennings and Maxine Richard are nature and wildlife lovers. We often go to different places to explore and adventure. This time, we decided to go to the Lyons National Forest in France, which is the largest beech forest in France, located in the northwest of Normandy. We heard that there are many kinds of animals there, such as: deer, wild boar, fox, rabbit and so on. So, we wanted to try night hunting, because we thought it was more challenging and exciting.
For night hunting, we need some special equipment. Maxine Richard suggested that we buy some night vision binoculars, so that we can see the position and movement of animals in the dark. Infrared binoculars are devices that use infrared or low-light enhancement technology to amplify weak light. They can let us see the heat or reflected light emitted by animals, and distinguish them from the background. We found some suitable night vision binoculars online and ordered three pairs.
In addition to hunting, we also wanted to taste some local French cuisine. France is a gastronomic capital, and each region has its own specialty dishes and flavors. We planned to try some different dishes during our trip, such as fish soup, tomato rice and warm goat cheese salad, etc., looking forward to feeling the culture and history of France in the delicious food.
This is the purpose and background of our trip. Next, I will introduce our hunting experience, local cuisine and forest scenery in the Lyons National Forest. I hope you can feel this night hunting trip in France’s largest forest with me. Please continue reading!
Night hunting is a very exciting activity. It requires patience, keenness and courage. In the dark, we can’t rely on our eyes, but use our ears, nose and touch to perceive the surrounding environment. We also have to be careful not to make too much noise, so as not to disturb the prey or other animals. And be ready to shoot at any time, because the opportunity may pass by in a flash.
To make hunting smoother and safer, we used night vision binoculars. This is a device that can see things clearly in the dark. It uses infrared or low-light enhancement technology to amplify weak light, allowing us to see the heat or reflected light emitted by animals, and distinguish them from the background. With night vision binoculars, it is easier to find and track prey.
In the Lyons National Forest, there are many kinds of animals that can be hunted. We mainly hunted deer, wild boar and foxes. These animals are relatively difficult to catch, because they are sensitive, alert and cunning. We had to spend a lot of time and energy to find their traces, such as footprints, feces or hair. We also had to pay attention to the wind direction and terrain, so as not to be discovered by them or lose direction.
In night hunting, we experienced many unforgettable moments. Once, we saw a huge wild boar gnawing on a tree. Its body was sturdy, its teeth were sharp, and its eyes were fierce. We quietly approached it, ready to shoot. Just as we were about to pull the trigger, it suddenly turned its head and rushed towards us. We were scared and ran away quickly, luckily without being injured. The wild boar did not chase us either, but disappeared into the darkness.
Another time, we heard a sharp cry, like a small animal in distress. We followed the sound for a while and found a cute little rabbit with a fox biting its neck. The little rabbit looked helpless, with a pitiful look in its eyes. The fox was very smug, as if mocking us. We decided to save the little rabbit and shoot the fox. We put the little rabbit in a safe place and gave it some food and water, and it soon recovered.
What we were most proud of was that on the last night, we successfully captured a beautiful deer. It had an elegant posture, long horns and soft fur. It shone in the moonlight, like a creature from a myth. We used night vision binoculars to carefully observe every detail of it and waited for the best opportunity. When it lowered its head to drink water, we fired steadily. The bullet pierced its heart and made it fall instantly. We walked over to check its condition and performed a simple ceremony for it, thanking it for providing us with such a good prey.
This was our night hunting experience in the Lyons National Forest. Through night vision binoculars, we were able to see the vitality and beauty of animals in the dark. Through night hunting, we were able to feel the challenge and excitement of nature, and gain satisfaction and pride.
Besides hunting, another pleasure we had in France was tasting the local cuisine. France is a gastronomic capital, and each region has its own specialty dishes and flavors. We tried some different dishes during our trip, such as fish soup, tomato rice and warm goat cheese salad.
Fish soup is a classic French seafood soup, originating from the Provence region along the Mediterranean coast. It is made with various fresh fish and shellfish, such as sea bream, lobster, crab, mussels, etc., plus tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, olive oil and so on. It has a bright color, rich flavor and high nutrition. It is usually served with a spicy sauce called rouille and some bread slices.
Tomato rice is a simple and delicious French home-cooked dish, originating from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south. It is made with rice, tomatoes, sausages, bacon, onions, garlic and other ingredients. It can be eaten as a main course or a side dish. We stayed at a farm for one night, and the host made us this dish, which made us feel the charm and warmth of the French countryside.
Warm goat cheese salad is a refreshing and appetizing French salad, originating from the Loire Valley region in the center. It is made with a goat cheese called crottin de chavignol, which is heated in the oven and placed on some lettuce leaves, then drizzled with a salad dressing made of honey and apple vinegar. It has a golden color, sweet and sour taste, and rich texture. It can be served as an appetizer or a snack. We visited a castle for an afternoon, and ordered this dish when we returned to the hotel, which made us feel the delicacy and fragrance of French cheese.
These are some of the delicacies we tasted in France. They not only gave us pleasure in taste, but also let us understand the characteristics and traditions of different regions of France. They reflected the regional diversity and richness of French cuisine. We liked these dishes very much and hoped to have the opportunity to taste them again.
During our trip in France, besides hunting and food, we also appreciated the beauty and diversity of France’s largest beech forest – Lyons National Forest. This is a forest covering an area of about 10,700 hectares, with more than 300 kilometers of walking paths. It is a forest with a long history, which used to be the hunting ground of the French royal family. It is also a forest with rich biodiversity, with many rare and protected animal and plant species. It is surrounded by some charming villages, such as Lyons-la-Forêt, Fleury and Le Bec-Hellouin. It provides visitors with a unique and relaxing natural environment.
In Lyons National Forest, we felt the changes and charm of the four seasons. We saw the tender green of spring, the dark green of summer, the golden yellow of autumn, and the silver white of winter. We smelled the fragrance of flowers, grass, trees, and soil. We heard the sounds of birds, insects, wind, and water. We touched the bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits. We tasted wild berries, mushrooms, nuts, and honey. We walked, ran, biked, picnicked, and camped in the forest. We found happiness and peace in the forest.
In Lyons National Forest, we saw some rare and beautiful animals, such as red squirrels, egrets, black grouse and wild horses. We also discovered some historical and cultural relics, such as ancient churches, castles and water mills. We also visited some picturesque villages, such as Lyons-la-Forêt, Fleury and Le Bec-Hellouin. We felt the enthusiasm and friendliness of the French people there.
This was our forest scenery experience in Lyons National Forest. Through this forest, we were able to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. Through this forest, we were able to understand the history and culture of France. Through this forest, we were able to enjoy a unique and relaxing natural environment. This was a refreshing trip.
Here I want to thank my two friends Hannah Jennings and Maxine Richard who were my best companions during my trip. They accompanied me to share every moment of this night hunting trip. They provided me with a lot of help and support. They made me feel friendship and happiness.
Finally, I want to thank Lyons National Forest which was our best destination during our trip. It showed us the beauty and diversity of nature. It provided us with a unique and relaxing natural environment. It made us enjoy an interesting and unforgettable adventure.
