[WATCH] Hunters decry ‘unfair’ decision to close spring hunting season

'Unfair, arbitrary decision' say hunters on unilateral move to close season

Representing over 10,000 Maltese hunters and trappers out of 14,000 licensed individuals, hunting federation FKNK will seek legal action over the Prime Minister’s decision to close the spring hunting season. It will also seek a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Joe Perici Calascione, president of the hunting lobby, decried Joseph Muscat’s unilateral decision, taken after a kestrel was shot down and landed in the school grounds of a private, independent school.

The shooting, one of a series of injuries to birds of prey and other protected species during the spring season in which only turtle dove and quail can be shot, was the last straw during the controversial 20-day season – opened a day after the pro-hunting lobby won the referendum.

“FKNK unreservedly condemns the incident and illegalities are to be abhorred. But we can never accept collective punishment and holding 9,500 hunters responsible because of a handful of criminals,” Perici Calascione said.

Calling it discrimination against the law-abiding hunters, the FKNK said it was irresponsible of the government to place everyone in the basket, including hunters themselves who reported illegalities to the federation or to the authorities.

“I can’t understand how the government can tell the hunters to report the illegalities, only to use those same reports against them. Everyone this year agrees that hunters have been a lot more careful and they have cooperated … you will find individuals who breach the law and that is why we have laws and fines. Can the government explain what the majority of hunters did to merit such drastic action?”

Perici Calascione and FKNK CEO Lino Farrugia said collective punishment was anti-democratic, while they criticised the government for taking the decision without first waiting for the police to conclude its investigation.

The FKNK appeared to be extremely baffled by the government’s decision, despite repeated warnings by Muscat that he would immediately close the season if any “flagrant” abuses take place. When Muscat warned that this would be the hunters “last chance”, FKNK said it didn’t quite understand what the PM meant.

Perici Calascione, arguing that he had “expected more” from the government, said the hunters could not know of every illegality that takes place.

“How long will this persecution against the hunters go on? FKNK will be seeking legal action … this is oppression that could hit other sectors of society,” he said, adding that FKNK will continue working to help curb illegalities and analyse what can be done to avoid future premature closing of the seasons.

Perici Calascione, still trying to wrap his head around the Prime Minister’s decision, said a lot of opinions are floated as soon as a decision is taken. “I still haven’t understood what the last chance meant … I understand intolerance towards abuses but how can I be blamed for something I didn’t do? I don’t need to hold a press conference to practice my hobby? We wanted to become a non-entity,” he said.

“Right now many are hurt and angry and a lot of things are said. We are now starting to analyse the situation and if it means going to court, then we go. But I want to have a serious dialogue with all stakeholders, with the government and to cooperate with the authorities.”