The accident occurred around 11:30 am this Thursday, during a woodcock hunting party, some five kilometers south of the center of Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne).
A 47-year-old man was seriously injured in the face and the suspected gunman was taken into custody, we learned from firefighters and the prosecution.
The victim, who was also participating in the hunting party, according to France Bleu, was hit by "shots from a pellet gun", before being transported to hospital "in serious condition", said firefighters.
His prognosis is not committed, but the forties was hit in the face "by multiple shards of lead", further indicated the prosecution.
A man is "currently in police custody" in Montauban in an investigation for "unintentional injuries in the context of a hunting action", he added.
Several hunting accidents have taken place in recent days.
A motorist was notably hit while driving between Rennes and Nantes at the end of October.
Seriously injured, he succumbed to his injuries.
