Hunting Season is upon us...

[Groucho]

The 'big game hunting' season for 2014 will be held between 2nd November until 28th December and hunters will be out in the fields only on Sundays between these dates and also a single Wednesday on the 24th December; a total of 10 days hunting.

here are maps of areas allocated for hunting and areas closed to hunting:
http://www.avfed.com/av-haritalari.php


season game range is:

Brown Hare (1 per hunter / day)
Chukar (5 per hunter / day)
Black Francolin (or 5 per hunter / day)
Pheasant
Wood Pigeon (8 per hunter / day)
Rock Pigeon
Woodcock
Quail
Hooded Crow
Magpie

a single hunter is not allowed to hunt more than 30 game birds in a single day

The hunting federation takes illegal hunting very seriously therefore if you witness any form of illegal hunting taking place the hotline number to dial is 140

Im afraid the law is only written in Turkish but to state a few more important points to be aware of;

- it is illegal to hunt within 500m of lakes, reservoirs and rivers
- it is illegal to hunt within 200m of occupied properties
- hunting is permitted only between dawn and dusk hours
- it is illegal to hunt from inside vehicles
- each single hunter is allowed up to 3 game dogs

* Remember: the number to dial for illegal hunting is:140

[muffin]

Very informative but unfortunately the people who need to know all these facts i.e. the hunters with the guns, will as usual totally ignore all the regulations and will be banging away in the olive groves adjacent to our property as per usual. It is pointless calling the police. someone did this last hunting season and the hunters all hid until the police cars had gone and then started up again. We always shout loudly at them and they do eventually move on. There should be wardens patrolling to keep these hunters in check.

[waddo]

Thanks Groucho, no axe to grind with the official hunting federation at all, they seem to have the country and wildlife at heart which is sometimes difficult to understand for all us non-hunters. However my daughters partner is the Assistant Director of the RSPCA and he has put me straight on lots of animal welfare issues of late.

One question if I may - Do the members of the Hunting Federation carry any form of identity? I am not beyond approaching those who are too close to property and asking for it if they do. Many thanks.

[Groucho]

Thanks Groucho, no axe to grind with the official hunting federation at all, they seem to have the country and wildlife at heart which is sometimes difficult to understand for all us non-hunters. However my daughters partner is the Assistant Director of the RSPCA and he has put me straight on lots of animal welfare issues of late.

One question if I may - Do the members of the Hunting Federation carry any form of identity? I am not beyond approaching those who are too close to property and asking for it if they do. Many thanks.

Yes they should have a copy of their licence on them and they have to pass a test to see if they are allowed one in the first place.... This involves identifying birds that can be shot. So there is no excuse for them shooting just anything that moves. The federation are very keen that their members are seen as responsible hunters who take their sport seriously and not to the detriment of bird stocks. Which is in their own interests.

[dap2410]

Thank god the last day of their so called Hunting Season ends today 28th December. We can now walk our dogs in safety, without the worry of shoot falling around us which has happened in the past.

[snd1966]

I believe its only the end of the big hunt season, now is the season without dogs which ends around March.

[Owl Lady]

Now is the time the hunter's dogs no longer required, are dumped to fend for themselves!!!!

[dippersgirl]

There are more rules now and it is much stricter. I don't know any details, but I have only heard guns this year once here in Dipkarpaz and that was early on. Apparently many areas are restricted now