FKNK calls on hunters to report illegalities

The hunters' federation (FKNK) said it has no time to waste in condemning illegal hunting and instead it "instigated" its members to do their "utmost" to report fellow hunters who breach the law.

In a statement issued today, the Federation for Hunting & Conservation wished its members "a good autumn/winter hunting season which opens tomorrow.

However it said that "Maltese and Gozitan hunters cannot continue to bear the consequences of the acts of irresponsible persons that are being used to tarnish hunting both within our shores as well as in Europe and globally."

The FKNK warned its members that illegalities that may occur during the open season will not be tolerated and said it would take drastic disciplinary action, "within its power," against any member who may be found in serious breach of hunting regulations, to the point of membership revocation, without which, hunting licence renewal is not permissible.

"The time has therefore come for the good to stand tall and defend himself by doing everything in his power to ensure the bad is apprehended and eradicated. This is the only way that hunting can regain the accepted social status it enjoyed not so long ago. These criminals have to be aware that they will not only not find shelter in the FKNK but that they will find it unreservedly against them to the extent that the FKNK will be their worst enemy."

The hunters' federation added that it "will not waste time in condemnations and is hereby instigating 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.  No one is suffering more than the legal hunters themselves, each time a case concerning any violation of hunting regulations is reported.

Hitting out at the media for sensationalising episodes of illegal hunting which at times were "unsubstantiated."

"One recent example is the manner by which a report concerning a protected species, albeit very common in the wild, was referred to as 'super-protected' - an inexistent term in any legislation or taxon classification." 

However, FKNK admitted that whenever a protected bird is shot, there is a shotgun involved and invariably linked to hunting.

"Thus, in the eye of the general public and in that of the less experienced person, all hunters are classified as bad."

The FKNK said that it expects the Police Corps to act wisely and in a correct and fair manner with everyone. 

It also urged its members 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.  

Reports can be made anonymously by any FKNK member as well as by the general public, the federation noted.