Government issues dates for spring hunting season

The 2018 spring hunting season will be between 1 and 21 April, the government announced yesterday.

“Following Ornis Committee recommendations, and upon considering all applicable legal and conservation parameters, the government announces that the 2018 spring hunting season shall be open for quail only between Sunday 1 April and Saturday 21 April, both dates inclusive, from two hours before sunrise until noon. Only those issued a Special Spring Hunting Licence for 2018 shall be permitted to hunt for quail during this season,” a statement read.

“In order to obtain this special licence, hunters must have, at the time of application: a valid general licence to hunt birds on land (licence card issued by WBRU); paid-up membership in a recognised hunting organisation for 2018 – green booklet stamped by your hunting organisation; valid third-party liability insurance cover for 2018; a valid permit to carry a firearm for hunting of birds on land issued by the police.

The date has been a subject of recent controversy. BirdLife Malta previously said that it was considering pursuing a second referendum to ban spring hunting after the Ornis Committee recommended that this year’s season take place during the peak migratory period of the now protected turtle dove, despite scientific evidence recommending the contrary.

Scientific evidence and advice from the Environment Resources Authority, Birdlife CEO Mark Sultana previously explained, categorically suggested that the spring hunting season take place between 15 March to 4 April, specifically to avoid the turtle dove, which is now protected in spring. “The Ornis Committee had recommended the season be open from 5 April to 25 April,” he had said.

The government’s chosen dates lie in between, closer to the Ornis Committee recommendations.

The European Union had issued a moratorium on the hunting of the species during spring after recording a noticeable drop in turtle dove figures.