Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for Wildlife has announced that the hunting season in Saudi Arabia will begin on September 1, 2024, and run until January 31, 2025.

This decision follows a comprehensive review of hunting practices aimed at ensuring sustainable resource use while preserving biodiversity and environmental balance.

The center has worked with hunting experts and conducted extensive research, incorporating insights from international best practices and previous hunting seasons.

The season will be limited to specific species permitted for hunting, with detailed information available on the center’s website and the Fitri platform.

Participants must possess a licensed hunting rifle and obtain a hunting permit through the Fitri platform.

The center emphasized that hunting endangered wildlife is strictly prohibited, and hunting is not allowed in restricted areas such as urban areas, villages, farms, population centers, near military, industrial, and vital facilities, within reserves and major projects, and along coastal areas up to 20 kilometers inland.

Permissible hunting methods are outlined to ensure responsible practices, prohibiting the use of shotguns, hunting nets, and unauthorized techniques like attraction and calling devices.

The center urges compliance with environmental laws and hunting regulations, warning that violations will result in penalties.

The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife and other relevant agencies, will apprehend violators and refer them to authorities for legal action.