2 comments so far.All turtle doves hunted must be reported according to age
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The autumn hunting season on land opens on Friday, the 1st of September until the 31st of January 2024.
The Wild Birds Regulation Unit have advised that with effect from this year, all turtle doves hunted during September must now be reported according to age.
European Turtle-dove can only be hunted between the 1st and 30th of September, with an overall bag limit of 500.
Reporting of the adult or juvenile birds must be done using the Game Reporting System either by calling on Freephone number 80002020, or via the mobile app Game Reporting MT.
The WBRU stressed that this reporting system for the age structure of hunted turtle doves during the month of September “replaces any other reporting means that was in place in previous years.”
Reports for any hunted turtle dove caught should be made immediately upon capture. The WBRU added that reporting of hunting effort before leaving the hunting area is also still in effect – hunting effort applies when no specimens pertaining to any one of the huntable species are caught.
It explained that the age of hunted turtle doves will be automatically requested by the system during the normal reporting flow. “When reporting turtle doves, simply follow the instructions and be sure to enter the amount(s) accordingly.”
The WBRU went on to say that the age structure of bagged game is only being requested for turtle doves. “The photos above should serve as a guide on how to distinguish an adult turtle dove from a juvenile.”
Between the 15th of September and the 7th of October, hunting is permitted from two hours before sunrise to 7pm. For the remainder of the season hunting is permitted from two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunset.
On Sundays and public holidays, hunting is not permitted after 1pm. It is legal to hunt for 40 species from land. All other species are protected by national and international law
Hunting of birds at sea for 12 species is permitted between the 1st of October and the 31st of January 2024.
To download a full autumn hunting guidance sheet which has been prepared for the public by BirdLife Malta please click here.
Photo: WBRU
The overall bag limit for the autumn hunting season for European Turtle-dove is 500
• It is illegal to hunt or possess a firearm or trapping equipment in a Bird Sanctuary (Tab. 1)
• It is illegal to use electronic callers
• It is illegal to have a shotgun capable of firing more than 3 shots in succession
• It is illegal to hunt within 50 m of a main road
• It is illegal to hunt within 50 m of a beach (Tab. 2)
• It is illegal to hunt within 200 m of a residential area (i.e. an area with more than 100 residents)
• It is illegal to hunt under the legal age of 18
. . . and what is with public space, like Valley’s and Hike’s around the island?
The Nightmare begins