New regulations on wild rabbit hunting will be published in the coming days, the Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretariat said yesterday.

Under the old regime, the season ran from June 1 to December 31, and no distinction was made between hunting with firearms and using dogs, ferrets and nets.

Although the dates are not expected to change, rabbit hunting using guns in June, July and August will only be allowed on land registered with the Department of Agriculture and with the written consent of the title holder.

Licensed rabbit hunters and capturers would have a legal obligation to report their rabbit bags through carnet de chasse.

The secretariat said that penalties were also being drastically increased so they were in sync with those for violations under the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations.

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