Game Bird Shooting Season Opens Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Game Bird Shooting Season for 2008 will be opened on Saturday, August 23rd and closed on Sunday, September 28th. All hunters must obtain a hunter’s licence from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) or any of its licence vendors. The sale of Hunters’ Licences will commence on Thursday, August 14, 2008. The fee for the hunter’s licence this year is $12,000.
Shooting during the Game Bird Shooting season is restricted to Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays the shooting session is from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to sunset. On Sundays shooting is only from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. The only birds which may be shot during the season are the White Crowned Pigeon/Bald Pate, Zenaida Dove/Pea Dove, White-winged Dove, and Mourning Dove/Long-tailed Pea Dove. The bag limit at each shooting session is 20 birds, of which no more that 15 should be White Crowned Pigeon/Bald Pate.
The Game Bird Season is regulated under the Wild Life and Protection Act which is under the jurisdiction of NEPA. While in the field each hunter must ensure that he or she has in his or her possession, a valid Fire Arms’ Licence, and a Hunter’s Licence issued through NEPA. Hunters are also being reminded that shooting is prohibited inside the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, Game Reserves, and Forests Reserves. Shooting is also prohibited within 50 meters of any Game Reserve and no less than 40 metres from population centres.
Anyone caught in breach of the Wild Life and Protection Act, that is, hunting without a hunter’s licence, hunting outside of the shooting season, or exceeding the bag limit can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for one year. For more information on the 2008 Game Bird Season, contact the National Environment and Planning Agency at 754-7540.