More than 120 hunting illegalities were recorded during the temporary closure of the autumn season last October, according to data collected by Birdlife.

The five-month season was closed for 20 days last year, after a spate of illegalities prompted the government to take action.

Despite the suspension, many continued with their contentious hobby, as volunteers from the conservationist NGO recorded dozens of illegal shots, modified shotgun rounds and the use of illegal electronic lures to attract protected species.

The data forms part of a detailed report compiled by the NGO and does not include trapping offences as the season closes later this month. A closer look at the data reveals that the number of recorded offences during the period actually constitutes a 50 per cent decrease over the same time in 2013.

No illegalities should have been recorded

A Birdlife spokesman, however, said that no illegalities should have been recorded at that time, as no one was meant to be hunting during the temporary ban.

The figures, expected to be published in the coming days, show that this was not the only decrease noted by the NGO. The number of dead or injured protected birds reported during the entire Autumn season – 40 – was half that for 2013.

In fact, it would seem that the situation is improving all year round, as the latest findings tally with those issued for last year’s spring hunting season. A detailed report of that season, published last year, had revealed that the number of observed illegalities amounted to less than a third of those recorded in 2013.

The suspension had infuriated many, with dozens of hunters holding an illegal protest, hurling profanities at the government and even assaulting journalists.

The situation reached critical mass when a breakaway group of protestors was later involved in a vicious ambush that left two birdwatchers seriously injured.