Vincent Saubion reportedly needed 50 stitches after the 150kg animal smashed into him (Pictures: CEN/Getty)

A hunter needed 50 stitches to close his face up after the deer he was stalking clattered into him while trying to flee.

Vincent Saubion, 36, had to be airlifted to hospital after being struck head-on by the terrified 150kg animal during a hunting expedition in southwest France back in January.

The impact tore a huge flap of skin from his face, slashing underneath his left eye and down across his nose.

Mr Saubion, who is of Basque origin, told local media he wanted to stay with his pals and carry on despite blood pouring from the horrific wound, adding: ‘It felt like I was drunk, but it actually took half my face off.’


Saubion says he is ‘still crazy about hunting’ despite his grisly injuries (Picture: CEN)

It is unclear whether the deer survived the encounter (Picture: Getty)

But a concerned fellow hunter told him to stop and summoned a firefighter in the group to give him first aid.



His injuries were so serious a helicopter had to fly to the forested region to airlift him to the Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux where he underwent emergency surgery.

Reports said he required some 50 stitches to close the grisly wound to his face.

He told media in the area: ‘I am grateful because there was more fear than actual harm. I haven’t broken anything and I feel as good as I can be.’

Despite the incident, Saubion has vowed to keep on hunting.

He said: ‘I am still crazy about hunting. I am very involved in the community, and have nothing but respect for the game and the owners who let us hunt on their grounds.’

It is unclear if the deer that injured him survived.

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