Hunters shoot down BirdLife flyer

The federation of hunters and trappers (FKNK) has advised hunters and trappers to put up signs reading "Private" in order to keep out people from entering the land where they hunt and trap.

Such a sign would ensure, the federation said, that no unauthorised persons gain entry, including picnickers, ramblers and, especially, anyone connected with BirdLife Malta.

The federation was reacting to a flyer published by BirdLife Malta and distributed with The Sunday Times yesterday. The leaflet, the federation said, urges a confrontation between the public, in the name of BirdLife, and hunters and trappers.

As if it were not enough, hunters and trappers are shadowed daily by members of the police administrative law enforcement unit, the district police and soldiers, the federation argued.

It said it was not true that 80 per cent of the countryside is controlled by hunters and trappers, as BirdLife was alleging.

Moreover, it refuted BirdLife's allegation that it is unlawful to trap birds after 1 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays.