It has again been made evidently clear that legal hunting, and therefore genuine hunters’ presence in Malta’s countryside, is the best deterrent against illegal shooting of protected bird species, the Hunters’ Federation said.

The first two days of September which also marked this autumn’s hunting season opening, produced a good influx of migrating protected bird species from raptors to herons and others (photos taken by a Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta [FKNK] member being attached).  Contrary to the deplorable single incidents of illegal shooting of protected bird species perpetrated by poachers reported recently, when the hunting season for bird hunting was closed, not a single incident of illegal shooting of protected bird species has been reported with the opening of the hunting season.  The FKNK applauds the efforts of its members in attaining this scenario.

At the risk of being repetitive, the FKNK therefore, again, seriously warns its members that illegalities that may occur during the open season will not be tolerated. The FKNK will take drastic disciplinary action, within its power, against any member who may be found in serious breach of the relative regulations, to the point of membership revocation, without which, hunting licence renewal is not permissible.  Furthermore, the FKNK instigates its thousands of members who abide by current regulations to do their utmost to ensure that any person, responsible for any criminal act related to shooting, be brought to justice.  Thus, FKNK members are being urged to assist the Police in their duties and to report any illegalities they may observe from their fields directly to the police authorities on 21224001.  Such reports can be made anonymously by any FKNK member as well as by the general public.

This is the only way forward for hunting to regain the accepted social status it enjoyed not so long ago.