The autumn hunting season opened on Monday and will remain open for five months until the 31st of January.

Hunting during the season is permitted for 40 land species and 12 sea species. Of these, the Turtle Dove may only be hunted between the 1st and 30th of September, with a national hunting quota of 500 for this bird.

The Wild Birds Regulation Unit advised hunters that all turtle doves hunted during September are to be reported according to age (adults or juveniles) using the Game Reporting System either by calling on Freephone number 80002020, or via the mobile app Game Reporting MT.

“Reports for any hunted turtle dove caught shall be made immediately upon capture,” said WBRU. “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 added 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 accordingly.”

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,” said the WBRU.

BirdLife Malta has issued a summary list of what is permitted and what is illegal:

Hunting is permitted from two hours before sunrise until 7pm between the 15th of September and the 7th of October, and from two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunset for the rest of the season

Hunting at sea is not permitted before the start of October, and it is illegal to hunt within 3 km of the coast

On Sundays and public holidays, hunting is not permitted after 1pm

Hunting and possession of a firearm or trapping device in a Bird Sanctuary, the use of electronic bird callers, and the possession of a shotgun capable of firing more than 3 consecutive shots are all illegal.

It is illegal to hunt within 50m of a main road or beach, and within 200 m of a residential area, it is also illegal for persons under 18 years of age to hunt.

BLM advised that if the public observes any illegalities, they should “immediately report them” to the police on 119 and ask to be connected to the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU). For Gozo, they would have to ask to be connected to the Victoria Police Station, because there is no Environmental Police.

Please also report to BirdLife Malta on 2134 7645 or on the emergency number (outside office hours) 7925 5697, said the NGO.

To download a full autumn hunting guidance sheet which has been prepared for the public by BirdLife Malta please click here.

Photo: WBRU

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