HUNTERS are being warned to register the trailers they use to transport dogs during hunting trips as a new provision in the law makes them illegal if not registered.
Chief Inspector Andreas Fiakas, who is head of the police anti-poaching unit, yesterday hailed the beginning of the new hunting season, starting tomorrow and ending on December 30, by reminding hunters about the rules and regulations.
“Trailers must be registered with the Road Transport Department and hunters need to have what is called a CT number,” Fiakas explained. “Otherwise any added adaptations or adjustments at the back of a car are banned by law.”
“There are special cages that can be placed inside the car. We advise drivers to purchase the correct ones.”
Fiakas said there would be a two-week grace period, during which his unit would inform hunters on the new provisions without booking them. But after the fortnight was over, those breaking the law would be reported and asked to pay a penalty.
According to the law, hunting must start at sunrise and end before sunset. “Driving into designated hunting areas is allowed only an hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset,” said Fiakas.
The anti-poaching unit would patrol wildlife areas day and night and patrols would be stepped.
“Hunters must have with them their hunting licence and hunting rifle license. We will also check that rifles are disassembled in their cases, as provided by the law.”
Game Officers will be on the lookout for hunters entering restricted areas, while special emphasis will be paid to checking the legal quota is followed – five partridges, one pheasant and two hares. “Every additional animal carries a €170 fine,” Fiakas said.
Hunters are prohibited from entering the buffer-zone or neighbouring areas, so as to avoid troubles with the UN. They are also banned from urban areas, tourist estates and inhabited villages, from a 500-metre radius, as well as military establishments, highways and main roads.
Fiakas referred to his Unit’s recent operations, which over the past six months resulted in court summons for seven cases. In these seven cases alone, officers found 47 hares, 47 partridges, five pheasants, stolen rifles and hundreds of illegal trapping measures, such as limesticks.
Two poachers were arrested on Thursday after officers found 20 partridges and five pheasants in their freezers.
Some cases were followed by hefty fines, such as €3,800 for possessing more cartridges than legally allowed and €7,200 for illegally possessing a gun silencer.
One man was fined €4,500 for failing to renew his hunting licence.
The hunter’s hotline, 1414, provides information on how to prevent and combat poaching. “Only with the help of legal hunters but also the public in general, will we be able to combat the extremely serious crime of poaching,” said Fiakas. “Hunters must provide us with information so poachers are caught and punished.”
