The presence of genuine hunters in the countryside is the best deterrent against illegal shooting of protected birds, the hunters’ federation said last night.

Not a single incident of illegal shooting marked the first two days of September, the opening of the autumn’s hunting season, which produced a good influx of migrating birds, the FKNK said.

This contrasted with “the deplorable single incidents of illegal shooting of protected bird species perpetrated by poachers reported recently” when the season was closed.

The federation applauded the efforts of its members to avoid this scenario and again warned of zero tolerance to illegalities committed during the open season, saying it would revoke membership.

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