One man has been charged for breaches of the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) during the opening weekend of the 2011 Bird Hunting Season. On Saturday, 20 August, 2011, enforcement officers from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) working in Vinery, Portland discovered a Ring Tailed Pigeon in a hunter’s possession. The Ring Tailed Pigeon is protected under the WLPA.

The hunter was charged with hunting a Protected Bird as well as for having a Protected Bird in his possession contrary to Sections 6 and 6A respectively of the WLPA. The hunter is due to appear in the Buff Bay Resident Magistrates’ Court in Portland on 14 September, 2011.

During the Hunting Season which ends on Sunday, 25 September 2011, only four types of birds may be hunted. They are the Zenaida Dove; White-winged Dove; Mourning Dove and the White-crowned Pigeon (Bald Pate). Only twenty birds may be shot during each shooting session, of which only fifteen White-crowned Pigeons are allowed.

Hunters are reminded to hunt only within the prescribed shooting sessions which are from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to sunset on Saturdays and from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. Sundays.

The penalty for breaching the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) is a maximum fine of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and or twelve months imprisonment.

If you observe a breach of the Wild Life Protection Act please call 754-7567 or 508-8081