Saudi Hunting Season Begins, Killing Endangered Animals Banned
Saudi Arabia’s hunting season has begun, National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) has announced rules. Only licenced firearms may be used and hunting endangered animals is strictly prohibited, said the NCW.
It has also banned hunting in urban areas and the use of shotguns.
The National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) has announced that the hunting season in the Kingdom this year will extend from Friday, September 1, 2023 until January 31, 2024.
Those possessing hunting rifles and falconers registered with the Saudi Falcons Club willing to engage in hunting practices during the season must apply for permits through the Fitri platform.
Sustainable hunting during the season is limited to the species previously specified through the NCW website and Fitri platform.
The NCW emphasised the necessity of adhering to the executive regulations for wildlife hunting, which permanently prohibit hunting endangered animals and birds as well as birds of prey.
Moreover, a hunter can only use the licensed firearms registered under their name and must refrain from other hunting methods that capture more than one animal or bird, such as shotguns and nets.
Also, the regulations strictly prohibit using gases, vehicle exhaust, drowning methods and lures in hunting.
Hunting animals or birds within the boundaries of the cities, villages, and farms in Saudi Arabia is prohibited, the NCW warned.
Hunting around cities, military, industrial, and vital facilities, inside protectorates and major projects, and along the Kingdom’s coasts within 20km towards the mainland is also prohibited.
The NCW urged hunting enthusiasts to abide by the relevant regulations, as violators will be subject to the penalties prescribed in the law.
The Ministry of Interior, represented in the Special Forces for Environmental Security and other relevant security authorities, will be in charge of apprehending violators and referring them to the competent authorities to enforce appropriate penalties against them, the NCW added.
