Dear Member or fellow hunter As done during recent years Kaccaturi San Ubertu is conducting a survey on the migration

of Turtle Dove and Quail during the derogation period between the 12th and 30th April. The purpose of this survey apart from giving a truthful indication of daily migration from all the different locations of observers is to give an indication of a hunters opportunity to hunt during the short derogation period. Hunters have come under strong criticism both locally by environmentalists and by the European Commission that the shot birds reported by SMS do not tally with days where the number of birds observed or the amount of shots recorded was higher than that of other days. Also criticized is the inexplicable increase in the number of SMSs sent towards the end of the season when the birds observed and the shots recorded do not justify the number of SMS reports received. I am sure all hunters agree that neither the number of birds observed nor the shots heard are a good indication of what SMS reports should be. A calm day where several birds are seen flying high and where several high shots are taken with very poor results is of no comparison to a windy day where one bird is seen and a single shot would mean all birds seen were shot. Our report is intended to prove this anomaly. It is important to prove the truth with facts that quantify the few birds that pass within shotgun range out of all the birds on migration. To substantiate this each observer records the number of birds seen on each day during the season and most importantly those that pass within a 50meter circle from his position whether they were shot at or not. Also that the location, optional time when hunting* and the number of shots heard and shots he fired are recorded. To give an example, records last year for a hunter using this system resulted in the following: Total observations for turtle doves during the derogation period was 264 seen of which 12 passed within a 50m circle, 4 of which were shot and reported by SMS. The shots fired by this individual were reported as 65 which proves most of his shots were misses or out of range and irrelevant to the number of birds seen or caught. Also 2 of the reported 4 SMS did not tally with when most birds were seen or most shots heard but where on days where few birds were seen and few shots heard. Whilst wishing you a good season we remind you of the contact numbers to report any illegalities you might witness: ALE on 22942160/1/2/3 or Police Head Quarters on 21224001

St. Hubert Hunters

Regarding the optional recording of the observation time this is being requested to quantify the individual hunting effort of each observer according to his time limitations. This factor contradicts the allegations that all hunters are out during all hours allowed under derogation.

Kaccaturi San Ubertu, c/o Aliki, Mosta Fort Road, San Pawl tat-Targa, NXR 2303, Malta Tel: (+356) 99423212, (+356) 21418809 | email: kaccaturisanubertu@gmail.com www.facebook.com/pages/KSU-Kaccaturi-San-Ubertu/340404416068230