The Government has published a Legal Notice declaring the opening of a Spring Hunting Season in 2013 for Turtle Dove and Quail.

The Spring Hunting Season will be open between Wednesday, 10th April 2013 and Tuesday, 30th April 2013, both dates included. The national hunting bag limit for this season has been established at 11,000 Turtle Doves and 5,000 Quail.

The season will be terminated should this national bag limit be reached before the end of the season.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) will issue a special 2013 Spring Hunting Licence to all eligible applicants as per procedure established by law. This non-transferrable licence only permits the hunting of two bird species, namely Turtle Dove and Quail.

Only the holders of a valid February 2013 to January 2014 Carnet de Chasse are eligible to apply for the 2013 Spring Hunting Licence. Eligible persons may apply for this licence between 30th March and 2nd April 2013 at MaltaPost branches during office hours.

Applicants are required to present their Identity Card and a valid Carnet de Chasse (February 2013 to January 2014) booklet with their application.

MEPA said that “compliance with the relevant provisions of national legislation relating to the granting of the 2013 Spring Hunting Licence during the season will be closely monitored and supervised.

“Licensed hunters will be required to report their catches through an SMS system and through their Carnet de Chasse before leaving the hunting zone and to abide by time restrictions and daily and season bag limits per licence.”

MEPA said in a statement that, “it is in the interest of hunting organisations and of individual hunters to ensure that no illegal hunting takes place since this would only jeopardise future hunting derogations.”

Permalink: MEPA announces the full details of spring hunting season