Hunter Fined €250 For Using Illegal Electronic Bird Caller

Whilst on patrol in Rabat, the Malta ranger Unit heard loud electronic bird caller sounds at a site that was already known to them.

The rangers immediately spotted the hunter using the caller whilst hunting, and thus alerted the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) Police.

The unit arrived, with the rangers documenting the hunter reportedly hiding the caller. Once the police shortly arrived, they could easily locate the illegal electronic caller with the guidance of the rangers.

‘It's very common that the accused hide callers and pretend they never used one, but with the documented evidence such excuse won't hold’, the rangers explained.

The hunter received a €250 fine and 4 penalty points on his record as per Wild Bird Regulation.

‘Electronic callers are illegal to use in combination with hunting or trapping as per SL. 549.42. The only exception is for 'Finch research', where only Finch callers may be used and all finches trapped to be released immediately.’

‘If a licensee accumulates more than 12 penalty points during two years, the general hunting license of the offender will be suspended for one year.’

#MaltaDaily