At first light today, the hunters headed out Sunday, to the hunting grounds for the first summer partridge hunt, marking the start of the hunting season.
Despite the anticipation and the increased presence of hunters, game in the Paphos district, according to the hunters themselves, was limited, while the available hunting grounds are becoming increasingly scarce.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Hunter Andreas Krotalias, speaking about the current situation, described a situation that is becoming more difficult year after year, noting, “It’s getting better every year.”
As he explained, there are far too many hunters, while the game is in limited supply and the areas where hunting trips can take place are restricted. As he explained, there are isolated homes, fenced-off areas, and specific sites where birds remain year-round, resulting, as he put it, in “a tragic situation.”
Mr. Krotalias also expressed the view that, given the prevailing environmental conditions, this particular hunting permit should not have been issued this year, especially amid difficult weather conditions in the region.
He called on the authorities to take these facts into account, noting that it should be possible to grant hunting permits for both partridges and hares, but at the same time there must be enough hunting grounds available so that hunters can find space for their hunts and enjoy the experience.
In fact, he appealed to the relevant minister to take measures to protect the environment and manage hunting grounds.
For his part, hunter Andreas Papagapiou reported that he managed to bag a partridge, noting, however, that despite the unsatisfactory catch, what excited him was the very philosophy and experience of hunting itself.
As he explained, the number of game animals had declined, a fact he attributed, among other things, to the large number of restricted areas. He proposed that quail hunting be expanded to the entire country, arguing that wherever hunting for hares and partridges is permitted, partridge hunting could also be permitted.
“The birds need peace and quiet so you can hunt; you shouldn’t have so many people gathering,” he said.
Hunter Evros Michaelides from Larnaca was also in Paphos for today’s outing. As he noted, the bag today was unsatisfactory, and he called on the Game and Fauna Service to open additional hunting areas.
“We want new areas,” he said, expressing the need for more hunting grounds to be made available.
Source: CNA
*File photo
