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The National Environment and Planning
Agency (NEPA) wishes to advise the public that the opening of the
2007 Bird Shooting Season will commence on Saturday, September 8
and end on Sunday, September 23. This year’s bird shooting exercise
has been rescheduled from the initial dates of September 1 to September
30 due to the recent passage of Hurricane Dean.
During the Bird Shooting Season, shooting sessions are allowed only
on weekends Saturdays, from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to
sunset, and on Sundays, sunrise to 9:00 a.m. Only four (4) species
of birds can be shot during the season, the White-winged Dove, Bald-pate,
Mourning Dove and Pea Dove. Each hunter is allowed to shoot a limit
of 20 birds at each session, except for the Bald-pate, which has
been reduced to a bag limit of 10 birds per session.
All hunters must have a valid Hunter’s Licence and must have it
in their possession while undertaking bird shooting activities. The
licence must be presented to a Game Warden or any other authorised
officer upon request. At the close of the season, all hunters must
complete and return their report forms to NEPA on or before December
31, 2007.
The Agency wishes to remind the public that it is against the law
to shoot any bird unless a bird Shooting Season is declared, as
this would be a breach of the Wild Life Protection Act which may
result in a maximum fine of $100,000.00 or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding twelve (12) months. Additionally, a person may also
be charged if game birds are found in their possession in cold
storage and there is evidence to support the suspicion that it
is intended for commercial purposes.
NEPA is responsible for ensuring the conservation, protection and
sustainable use of Jamaica’s natural resources. Consequently, the
Agency advises the public to adhere to the relevant regulations during
this year’s Bird Shooting Season.
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