The Federation of Hunters of the Orne has denied claims made by film director Luc Besson after a dead deer was found near his property. Besson took to social media to accuse the hunters of leaving the deer's body in front of his home and shared a photo of the animal’s corpse. In response, the federation posted on Facebook on Tuesday, September 22, stating that the hunters "have nothing to reproach themselves with in this sad affair." They emphasized that the deer showed no signs of gunshot wounds and was not shot during the official hunting season’s opening weekend. The hunters’ group explained that the deer’s body had been discovered more than a week before Besson’s accusation and was reported to the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), a government agency responsible for monitoring wildlife and environmental regulations. The federation proposed that the deer may have died due to natural causes, such as the rut — a period of increased activity and aggression among male deer during mating season — or from a collision with a vehicle or fencing in the area. This is not the first time the federation has faced scrutiny over hunting practices. In a similar case in 2025, two hunters were found guilty of unauthorized hunting on private land and using prohibited hunting methods. As a result, they were required to attend a sensitization course on hunting regulations and safety organized by the OFB and had their hunting licenses revoked for one year. The current situation has sparked a broader discussion about hunting practices and the responsibility of hunters to ensure their activities do not disturb the public or lead to animal deaths. While the Federation of Hunters of the Orne maintains its stance, the incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the hunting community.