Updated at 9pm; adds FKNK's reaction
This year’s spring hunting season will be open for quail only, between April 1 and 21, both dates inclusive, the government said.
Hunting time will be from two hours before sunrise until noon.
The season is based on recommendations by the Ornis Committee.
Only those who are issued with a special spring hunting licence for 2018 shall be permitted to hunt for quail during this season.
As from this year, hunters will no longer need to apply for this special licence at MaltaPost, but can apply on 7707 0009.
Eligible hunters are to specifically call this number from the mobile number associated with their registration with the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) for the general hunting licence.
Hunters whose mobile number has changed must inform the WBRU before applying for a special licence by noon on March 16. To apply for a special licence, hunters must call 7707 0009 between 6am on March 12 and noon on March 21.
This non-transferrable special license only permits the hunting of quail.
The national hunting bag limit for this season has been established at 5,000. Hunters are not to exceed the daily bag limit of five quails and a seasonal bag limit of 10 per hunter.
They will be required to report their catch.
The government reminded hunters that the moratorium prohibiting hunting of the turtle dove in spring was still in place. Any shooting of turtle doves or any species other than quail is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught breaking the law will be subject to criminal procedures and high penalties.
The limited spring hunting season will be subject to stringent enforcement, including spot-checks and non-compliance with applicable conditions and regulations will not be tolerated, the government said.
Birdlife statement
Birdlife said that although the original proposal of the Ornis Committee was for the season to end on April 25, the decision to end it on April 21 was still is a gamble not worth taking.
This would leave the turtle dove as a protected species at enormous risk, it said, adding that the government ignored the suggestion of its own agency – the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) – which suggested a season from March 15 to April 4.
Birdlife said hunters in Malta and Gozo had already been seen clearing their hunting hides which could not be used for quail hunting but were specifically used to hunt turtle doves.
Moreover, signs with no legal basis asking people not to trespass could also be seen all over the countryside. And trapping sites were revisited by trappers for the spring migration of finches even though this had been illegal for years.
Birdlife said it would be closely monitoring the season and illegalities. The government, it insisted, had to enforce the law and ensure that hunters did not kill protected species.
FKNK's reaction
In another statement, the hunters’ federation, FKNK, said the government caved in to Birdlife’s blackmail and ignored the recommendations of the Ornis Committee, which it had set up.
The committee, it said, recommended a hunting season lasting from April 5 to 25 but this was now to open between April 1 and 21.
It deplored this “mediocre” way with which the dates were chosen which clearly showed, it said, that the threats of a referendum won over science and rights.
It also wished hunters a good season and encouraged them to observe the law “so as not to endanger this and future spring hunting seasons”.
It promised to work for future seasons to also include the traditional and legal hunting for turtle doves.