Police issue stern warning to 'law breaking' hunters

If you are a hunter and you see a bird other than a quail or a turtle dove between tomorrow and May 22 enjoy watching it and let it fly past, unless you want to end up in trouble.

That, in a nutshell, is the message the police want to convey before the hunting season opens tomorrow.

"The law is very clear that between March 25 and May 22, hunters may only shoot at quail and turtle dove. All other species of birds are protected, even those that may be shot in autumn and winter," Assistant Police Commissioner Josie Brincat said in an interview.

Mr Brincat said police officers from the administrative law enforcement unit will be stepping up patrols on land and at sea to ensure illegal hunting is curbed.

"We know there are law-abiding hunters who want to enjoy their pastime. It is not them we are after.

"We are actually trying to protect them from law-breaking individuals who are not only tarnishing the hunters' image but are also endangering the concession hunters have to shoot in spring," Mr Brincat said.

It is not only ALE policemen who will be involved in patrols but also district police, Mr Brincat said.

"The hunting issue is a national problem and even district police will be roped in. The public is urged to call 2122 4001 if infringement of hunting rules are noted and action will be taken accordingly," Mr Brincat said.

"Gozo has a separate ALE unit and it, too, is involved in patrols there," he added.

"Enforcement of hunting laws is no longer a contentious issue and both major protection groups and the Association for Hunting and Conservation agree with it. We are not here to take it out on anybody or to take sides. We are here to ensure the law is observed," Mr Brincat said.

Over 360 hunters were last year found breaking hunting laws by officers from the ALE branch. This year, 16 hunters have already been apprehended trying to hunt or hunting when the season is still closed. Court action will also be taken against some 15 trappers who were allegedly found using illegal electronic bird callers recently.

"Our message is: better safe than sorry. The law is there to be observed and we are going to ensure it is observed," Mr Brincat said.