Hunters not carrying licence have their guns seized

Nine hunters had their guns seized by the police today - the first day of the spring hunting season - because they were not carrying their spring hunting licence or charnet de chasse (hunting record) with them. 

Lino Farrugia, secretary of the hunters' federation (FKNK) told timesofmalta.com that the federation has written to the Prime Minister and is in discussions with the police on how the situation may be rectified.

He said the nine men had applied for and been granted the special spring hunting licence and they were wearing the special arm band handed out with the licence documents.

According to regulations, hunters  have to carry their licence, the charnet de chasse and a mobile phone.  

They also have to wear their orange fluorescent armband. Each band carries a unique number.

Mr Farrugia said that eight of the hunters who had their guns seized forgot their licence at home and one forgot his carnet de chasse. 

One of them realised he had forgotten his licence and was on his way back home to get it when he was stopped by the police. 

Mr Farrugia said that the federation fully supported police action to fight illegal hunting but this was a new procedure and there should be certain understanding about technical shortcomings.

Previously, hunters who did not carry their licence were required to produce it at a police station within 48 hours of being requested to do so.  

Mr Farrugia said today was not a good day for hunting  with very few birds flying over Malta. He did not personally see any quails or turtle doves, the only two birds which the hunters may hunt.

Just under 5,600 hunters were granted the spring hunting licence. They are allowed to shoot not more than one bird a day or four in the season. 

The total hunt may not exceed 9,000 turtle doves and 2,500 quails. Hunters are obliged to report their catch on SMS and the season may close before April 30 if the hunting limits are reached.

A spokesman for BirdLife Malta said volleys of shots had been heard throughout Malta, but especially in the south.

However, a member of a BirdLife watch camp said that there was no sighting of turtle doves, although some quails was heard.

He said that all hunters that were seen were wearing armbands, as required.

A flock of three purple herons was seen, with one of them apparently having been injured since one of its legs was dangling.

BirdLife said that a protected bird, a hoopoe, was also shot. A member of the public saw the bird flying while walking along the Dwejra Lines, he heard some shots, turned back and found the bird had been shot and was on the ground. He passed on the bird to BirdLife, campaigns coordinator Geoffrey Saliba said.

He said that today was a quiet day for migration so no major illegalities were recorded.

"The true test will be when the birds come in," he said.