The autumn hunting season has officially started in Malta, meaning that hunters all across the islands will be out and about the countryside looking for game.

In light of this, it is good to exercise extra caution when walking in the countryside, with gunshots expected to become relatively frequent.

From today, 1st September the Majjistral Nature and History Park will be open for hunters in the morning.

The HPF Ranger Unit took to social media to share some information about how hunters operate within the Majjistral Nature and History Park, whilst urging visitors to exercise caution.

Hunting at Majjjistral is only allowed from two hours before sunrise until noon. On the other hand, on Wednesdays and public holidays, hunting is only allowed from two hours before sunrise until 10am.

From December to January, hunters are only allowed to hunt from two hours before sunrise until 10am too.

Apart from public parks, many hunters have their own private land and fields, where they fix up a hide for gamebirds to fly by.

Make sure to keep an eye out for such structures, as their presence usually suggests that a hunter may be close by.

The only locations where bird hunting are not allowed are as follows: the airport area, some beaches, designated bird sanctuaries (e.g. Wied Ghollieq, Simar, and Ghadira Nature Reserves).

On private land, one can hunt from two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunset.  These hours only apply from Monday to Saturday, as during Sundays and public holidays hunting is only allowed until 1pm.

Between the 15th September and 7th October, hunting has to stop by 7pm.

Hunting is also strongly prohibited near main beaches and residential areas.

Facebook/HPF Ranger Unit