Between 18,000 and 19,000 hunters are expected to go out on Sunday, which is the start of this year's hunting season, spokesperson of Cyprus' Game and Fauna Service, Petros Anayiotos, told CNA, noting that officers were carrying out checks in all districts. In the meantime, the Forestry Department has urged hunters to be extremely careful and to completely avoid actions and activities which may cause a fire, warning that prevailing weather conditions are particularly conducive to the start or spread of fires. Replying to CNA questions, Anayiotos said that they estimate that 18,000 to 19,000 hunters would set out on Sunday to hunt Woodpigeons, Eurasian Collared Doves, quail, etc. From September 3, turtledove hunting will also be allowed, he said. This part of the hunting season covers Sundays until September 17 and two Wednesdays, September 6 and 13, he said. Anayiotos said that officers of the Game and Fauna Service have been carrying out checks from Saturday evening and will continue to do so until late Sunday night, in all districts. He noted that during this season, usually two offences emerge, that of hunting without a permit and hunting in a prohibited area. Out-of-court fines start at pound 2,000 and increase if there are additional offences, he said. In a press release, the Game and Fauna Service wishes all hunters a 'good and safe hunting' and calls on those who will go out on Sunday 'to observe all the written and unwritten laws of hunting, to show the necessary respect to their colleagues and to the foreign properties that will host them'. It also reminds hunters that they will have to record their catch through the Artemis Cy application, noting that this was mandatory for all game in all hunting seasons.

Source: Cyprus News Agency