Around 23 per cent of Maltese hunters have been on hunting trips abroad, a survey commissioned by the Hunters’ Federation (FKNK) has found.

A total 43 per cent of respondents said that they had never been on a hunting trip abroad due to financial constraints, while 34 per cent said they preferred traditional Maltese hunting.

The preferred hunted game was game birds (66 per cent) but 28 per cent also preferred to hunt small ground game.

The reasons given for going on a foreign hunting trip included larger bags (30 per cent), the EU imposed restrictions locally (21 per cent) and new local restrictions (21 per cent).

A total 57 per cent of respondents considered hunting tourism abroad as sustainable, with the top destination being the UK (43 per cent).  The main reasons given for this were the respect shown towards the game and the natural environment, locals’ respect towards hunting tourists and hunting discipline and ethics.

The majority spent between €1,500 and €3,000 per hunting trip, followed by €3,500 to €7,000 per trip.

The full report can be viewed here.