Visitor fined for parking at military camp during deer rut

A visitor was fined for parking inside La Courtine military camp in Creuse, France, during the night of 12 to 13 October.

Gendarmes used a thermal-camera drone during an operation to check access to the camp, coordinated with military authorities.

The site attracts people hoping to hear the deer’s autumn calling season, known in French as the brame du cerf.

La Courtine is an active military training area, where mortars and cannons are fired day and night.

Unexploded ammunition may also remain underground, creating a risk of death.

Visitors may drive on roads through the camp, but must not stop, park or leave their vehicles, and gendarmes urged them to follow the rules.