The hunters' federation, FKNK, is calling on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to publicly abide by the European Court of Justice's ruling that had justified limited spring hunting.
"The Maltese hunters' status as equal citizens within the EU, now endorsed by none other than Europe's top judicial body, expects that you apply the spring hunting derogation fully in terms of the Birds Directive, no more and no less," the federation said in an open letter.
FKNK assured Dr Gonzi of its full backing and urged him to ensure the "strict enforcement of the hunting regulations without fear or favour".
It responded to BirdLife Malta's claims on the conservation status of turtle doves and quails and the inadequacy of the autumn season as a satisfactory alternative solution to spring hunting and trapping.
The federation said the ECJ decision "amply vindicated" the government's arguments that the two bird species enjoyed a healthy conservation status in the wild and, in the particular case of Malta, autumn was not a satisfactory alternative solution to spring hunting.
It reminded Dr Gonzi that the ECJ judgment was final and definitive and demolished the main contention of the EU Environment Commission. It also made the opening of a spring hunting season a justified necessity for Maltese hunters and trappers.
It said BirdLife Malta's campaign, featuring an orchestrated anti-spring hunting petition, stemmed "from its refusal to accept and abide by the findings of the ECJ". The illegal shooting of protected species was never part of the ECJ case and was irrelevant to the issue.
"We are certain you will recognise it for what it is: the manipulative confusing of public opinion by an organisation that plainly thinks it knows best," FKNK told Dr Gonzi.
The ECJ ruling had highlighted the "government's ethical and moral obligation to do justice to all the hunters and trappers and their families".
BirdLife Malta has initiated a petition, which received a worldwide response, to ban all forms of hunting in Malta. So far, over 22,000 people have signed it.