CABS volunteers are distributing leaflets containing deceitful and incorrect information about hunting and trapping in Malta to people in Gozo, the hunters’ federation (FKNK) said.

It said in a statement that in this way, CABS was inciting people to register false reports of illegalities to the police:

The FKNK said it was also informed that CABS volunteers were daily roaming the Maltese countryside with a total disregard to private property rights.

The FKNK said that, contrary to what was claimed in the leaflet, 39 other
species besides turtle doves and quail can be hunted until January 31.

It said that the trapping of the golden plover, classified as a wader, was legally permitted from and including October 20 to January 10, while trapping of the song thrush was legally permitted from and including October 20 to the December 31.

It was also legal to hunt from most of the coastline and semi-auto shotguns could be loaded with two cartridges in the magazine chamber and one other in the barrel. This meant that three immediate consecutive shots from the same weapon were legal.

It was legal to hunt with one’s back just against the set boundary limits of designated protected areas.

Hunting was forbidden after 1pm on Sundays and public holidays throughout the open season - from September 1 to January 31.

“CABS provoking tactics have now exceeded the limits of tolerance and the FKNK draws the attention of the Commissioner of Police such that the appropriate action can be taken in defence of Maltese law-abiding hunters and trappers and the public,” the FKNK said.