Drones have been deployed as part of a massive operation by the police and army to enforce the strict spring hunting season laws.

The unmanned aircraft will be used to police the nearly 10,000 hunters who hold a special spring hunting licence.

Hunters can only shoot 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quail but have individual bag limits of two birds a day and four per season.

Hunters are obliged to report any birds they shoot by SMS

The government said more than 70 enforcement officers have been deployed in the field, claiming that the level of deployment per square kilometre of countryside during the hunting season was “by far higher” than levels of field enforcement in any other European country.

The spring hunting season opened on April 12 and will close on April 30. Hunters are obliged to report any birds they shoot by SMS and if the total kill-count is reached the season will close before.

Spring hunting is illegal in the EU but can be practised in Malta because the government applies a derogation. The special concession became possible after the European Court of Justice in 2009 argued that autumn was not a satisfactory alternative for hunters.

Between Saturday and yesterday enforcement officers carried out around 190 spot checks on hunters in the field. Four suspected offenders were apprehended, three on Saturday and one on Sunday.

The four persons were booked for a number of offences including carrying an uncovered shotgun within a public road; possession of heavy gauge shot; failure to declare hunting on the carnet de chasse booklet; shooting a protected bird (a swallow); and a case of possession of pre-recorded bird calls during hunting activity.

Each time a catch is made, the hunter is required by law to report the bird caught via text message and to record the bag in the carnet de chasse before leaving the hunting area.

“Non-compliance with the special licence conditions can lead to hefty fines, suspension of the licence and criminal prosecution in accordance with the law,” the government said.