Spring hunting season 2011: ‘the foundation stone’ – FKNK
As it has come to an end, the Federation for Hunting & Conservation (FKNK) described this spring hunting season as “the foundation stone”.
“After four years, during which period Maltese hunters were unjustly deprived of spring hunting, this limited 2011 spring hunting season for turtle doves and quails has now closed,” FKNK secretary-general Lino Farrugia said.
He said that the next spring hunting seasons can be built within EU parameters, based on the season which has just closed. Farrugia added that "a just, equally serious and strictly controlled solution to be found for live-finch capturing in autumn.”
In a statement, FKNK recalled how the season was opened by the Maltese government by virtue of the application of the EU’s Birds Derogation.
Whilst thanking its members for their “exemplary behaviour during the few hours that hunting was permitted,” FKNK reminded that hunters were faced with “restrictions and other measures, some of which unnecessary, while others were very difficult to enforce.”
“This was a very poor season with regards to turtle dove and quail migration over the Maltese Islands, however in the same period one could witness an unprecedented heavy passage of protected bird species, mostly raptors, particularly in the last few days,” FKNK said.
Farrugia added it was “an honour for the FKNK to perceive the total obedience of the hunting regulations by the absolute majority of Maltese and Gozitan hunters.”
“This aids immensely in removing the stigma that we cannot be amongst the most exemplary of hunters in Europe,” he said.
FKNK also thanked the Police Force for carrying out its duties: “With their controls and strict supervision, equivocal incidents were avoided.”