Unacceptable hunting contraventions

I would like to draw the urgent attention of the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) to the continual indiscriminate gunning down of protected species in the Pwales and Mizieb area (near Xemxija), to the fact that hunters shoot birds from the immediate vicinity of the Xemxija Simar nature reserve (a supposedly protected area), to regular hunting out of season and on Sunday afternoons, and to the regular use of guns firing five automatic consecutive shots.

The other evening (September 4) for example a hunter was shooting down any bird that dared fly from the back fence of the Simar nature reserve at 7.30 p.m.

When once again reporting illegal hunting last Sunday afternoon, the ALE person contacted replied that they were assigned beach patrol and did not have any vehicles to look into illegal hunting reports, while courteously thanking me for my interest to report.

I challenge the hunters' federation to show some spine, patrol the countryside and turn in any members that blatantly contravene hunting regulations. To the best of my knowledge not one member has been turned in to date. Evidence of internal enforcement within the hunters federation might serve to gain the federation some credibility with the public, as well as finally shed some light on the "conservationists" part of their name.

One last point. Why does the whole island belong to hunters or trappers during their seasons, at the expense of the rest of the population that might want to enjoy a safe quiet walk or picnic in the countryside? The authorities must seriously consider allocating designated hunting/trapping grounds, which will result in both law abiding hunters/trappers and the public separately enjoying their free time safely outdoors.

I seriously hope that this letter together with my numerous telephone calls will not fall on deaf ears.