HUNTING SEASON STARTS 1 NOVEMBER

 Filenews 26 October 2020

The Hunting and Fauna Service, on the occasion of the first hunting excursion of the epidemic game, wishes all hunters good and safe hunting and invites them as throughout the hunting season, which begins on Sunday 1/11/2020, to observe all written and unwritten laws of hunting and to show the necessary respect to their colleagues and the foreign properties that will accommodate them.

In addition, hunters should exercise the necessary hunting awareness, not create large hunting groups with a large number of hunters and hunting dogs so that the prey has an increased chance of escape and do not tolerate poaching during the night as well as those who do not understand the role played by the restricted hunting areas and the KOTA.

The hunters are also marked with the following:

1. Hunting of hare, partridge and frangolina will be allowed every Sunday and Wednesday from 1/11/2020 until 27/12/2020, i.e. every Sunday and Wednesday from 1/11/2020 until 27/12/2020. for 17 outings.

2. The CTE for hares shall be one (1), for four (4) for francolones one (1) and unlimited for other game,

3. Lighting a fire in unspecified areas shall be prohibited,

4. The transport of a shotgun on rural or unasphalt roads shall be prohibited 60 minutes before and 60 minutes after the hours in which hunting is permitted;

5. Study the permitted hunting areas well before going out. The "Artemis Cy" smartphone app, created by our Service, shows the limits of restricted hunting areas. The exact limits of the prohibited hunting areas are described in the relevant decree which was published in the Official Journal of the Republic and is posted on the website of our Service.

6. Immediately report any illegality found on the following mobile phones of the Office or to the Police on 1414.

Nicosia 99445697

Limassol 99445728

Larnaca / Famagusta 99634325

Paphos 99445679

7. They must always carry with them their renewed hunting licence, have issued the licence to use hunting dogs, those who will hunt with the escort of dogs and always carry with them the licence to possess their weapon. The renewal of hunting licences continues and takes place either electronically through the JCCsmart (www.jccsmart.com) website or through commercial banks.

The above telephone numbers of the Service can also be addressed to hunters to resolve questions about hunting areas or to enlightenment about any other issue related to hunting.

Due to the large number of hunters expected to go out, the likelihood of hunting accidents or other unpleasant situations is significantly increased, and to this end, below, some simple instructions to hunters are given to reduce the likelihood of 'common' hunting accidents:

- Protect their eyes with special glasses.

-To wear a hunting orange hat or 30% of their body to be covered with hunting orange as the relevant legislation provides.

-Plan before the course and the place they will hunt and give themselves enough time to approach the place they will hunt or return back to their car.

-Avoid hunting alone and always, another person, know the exact spot they will hunt.

-Plan in person how to act or who to contact in the event of an unpleasant incident.

-Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages because their hunting potential and reflexes are reduced.

- Always bring water with them.

-Do not overestimate their potential and hunt within their abilities without putting pressure on their body.

- Before they pick up the gun and pull the trigger, make sure they're their target and what's behind it.

- Never shoot low and lightning.

- Always know where the members of their group and the nearest hunters are.

-Never shoot with a unique guide their instincts or hearing and if they have not visually confirmed their target and what is behind it.

-Avoid shooting if they are not sure of the existence of the prey. Good and responsible hunters are always assured before shooting and usually, they are apt because of their composure.

Never walk or stand with your finger on the trigger.

- When hunting in uneven terrain with friends, always check the direction the barrel of their weapon is pointing.

- Never run from one spot to another with a loaded gun. It is good, when they have to cross a difficult obstacle, to empty their weapon and leave it with the barrel pointed away from them and to the point from which they can easily take it back.

-The transport of shotguns in vehicles is permitted only when they are disassembled in a holster.

-Always keep in mind that no one can stop the cartridge pellets after detonation. An ordinary shotgun kills at 40 meters and can cause serious injuries at a distance of 100 meters.

In addition, the Hunting and Fauna Service invites hunters to avoid hunting near residential areas or individual dwellings because there is a risk of serious accidents. At the same time, it is recalled that according to the relevant legislation hunting is prohibited within a radius of 500m. from residential areas, within a radius of 200m. from individual residences and within a radius of 300m. military installations.

At this point it is worth noting that, in accordance with the provisions of the new legislation, which has been in force since July 2017, the usual offences presented during that hunting season, i.e. the offences committed during that hunting season, are not the same as those of the united States. hunting without a hunting licence and hunting in a restricted hunting area, are punishable by an out-of-court fine starting at €2,000 and increasing depending on the extent of the offence and their combination with other offences. At the same time, the out-of-court fine for poaching during the night is punishable by an out-of-court fine of €25,000.

With regard to the situation of game a few days before the start of the hunt, the Hunting and Fauna Service informs that the general situation of hare and partridge populations is better than last year's.

Finally, all hunters are invited to avoid the publication on social media of photos or videos that offend the sport of hunting.

Problems with hunters can be reported also on the following:

Police - 26 306211

Game Wardens - 99 445728 / 99 445679

Kamares - Panayiotis Kezoudi - 99 493436