THE NATIONAL Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reminding hunters that there are prescribed times for hunting during the 2003 bird shooting season which begins this Saturday and runs until September 21.
The prescribed times for hunting are Saturdays from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to sunset. On Sundays, hunting is allowed from sunrise to 9:00 a.m. During this period, only four birds - the Pea Dove, White Winged Dove, Bald Pate and Mounting Dove, can be hunted and hunters must ensure at all times that they stay within the prescribed bag limits.
The bag limit remains at 20 birds at each shoot except for the Bald Pate of which no more than 15 may be taken in any shoot. Overshooting is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, NEPA said, and it is also illegal to trap or use sling shots to shoot birds without a permit.
POSSESSION
While in the field, each hunter must have in his possession a gun licence and a valid bird hunters' permit issued through NEPA. Hunters are also reminded that shooting is prohibited in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and in game reserves.
NEPA has also advised that July to October is Sea Turtle Nesting Season and the public is urged to make a special effort to protect the creatures during this time.
All sea turtles are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and it is illegal to catch, kill or have any part of the animal in one's possession.
Persons found in possession of turtles can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for up to one year.
Fishermen, tourists and marine interests are being asked to make a special effort to protect the remaining population of sea turtles and to avoid activities that will disturb nesting females, their nests, eggs or hatchlings and any incidents of poaching of adults and their eggs.
