Hunting Season in Qatar from September 1 to February 15; MoECC urged to strictly abide by the regulations and rules

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has asked hunters to rigorously comply by the laws and regulations in order to preserve the nation's native species, as the season for shooting wild birds and animals began on Sunday. According to a post on X, the primary purpose of the hunting season, which runs until February 15, 2025, is to hunt migrating birds, mostly using falcons and traditional methods. Specifically, falcons should be the only weapon used for hunting Houbara Bustards. The use of unconventional, electric, or electronic devices—such as electronic bird callers—is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted as an environmental infraction if detected.

Hunting is prohibited in other places as well, such as public gardens, parks, and reserves; it is also prohibited inside city limits. It is improper to hunt the local animals that are protected and endangered. The ministerial resolution no. 24 for 2023, which governs the hunting season for certain wild animals and birds, forbids the killing or retention of any endangered species of bird or reptile, whether they are migratory or native, for a period of two years in any location. These include the rufous-tailed scrub robin (bird), ostrich, gazelles, honey badger, Jerboa, hedgehog, shrike birds, agama lizard, black-eared wheatear, small grebe, and monitor lizard.

Falconers have trained their birds and prepared the required tools and equipment in order to get ready for the hunting season. Some people have purchased brand-new falcons from the Souq Waqif falcon market.