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= MALTESE HUNTERS AND TRADITIONS. =

FKNK MALTA.
 Over the years 

In the early seventies hunters and trappers, not just in Malta but all over the world were under heavy fire from so called 'protectionists'. It seemed as if the world's population was being awaken from a deep coma to realise how generations over the years had destroyed the world's natural environment. Hunters and trappers were being blamed for part of this destruction. Over most of Europe, in fact, hunting and trapping laws had already been introduced and these with the vivid participation of the various countries' hunting and trapping representatives, who were quick to realise the importance of having typical bodies to defend their passions. It was therefore with the same intentions that on the 17th September, 1973, the National Association of Hunters and Trappers, as it was called at the time, was formed. In May 1982, the Association was reformed, its statute amended and renamed The Hunters’ Association. This English version of the Association's title did not in any manner suggest that, then, or still even to-day, the Association would not also defend the local traditional passions of trapping, or better still live-bird-capturing with nets. Very simply, trapping constitutes another form of hunting, similar to various other country recreations such as falconry, hunting with hounds, etc. In July 1984 the Association again changed its name by adding the word conservation, since this important role was becoming more and more part and parcel of the passions. On the 22nd June 1998 the Association's statute was reconstructed so as to form The Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (FKNK) which incorporates 23 Associations from as many districts and specific committees.

 Lands Administered and Managed by the FKNK 

These latter two Committees were set up since the Maltese Islands limit the amount of land available for the practices. Therefore the Federation has always insisted on being granted land where its' members, besides being organised in the practice, can also maintain the natural habitat of the land, and where also the public in general can enjoy other recreations. In 1983, seventeen plots of land were identified which could gradually be handed over to be administered by the Federation for such organisation, and in fact in 1984, the first pilot project started in the Limits of Mellieħa, with the second project, that of Miżieb which began in 1986. At these two localities, the practicing Members, under the direction of the above mentioned Committees, maintain the place through cleaning, pruning of trees, planting of trees, restoration of rubble walls, etc., throughout the year. Picnic Areas for use by the general public outside the hunting and trapping seasons, have also been set up at both localities. It is a real pity that no more lands have been allocated for this type of exercise, which enable the hunters and trappers to be responsible for the conservation of the surrounding natural habitats where hunting and trapping are also practiced. Hunters and Trappers are the foremost Managers of Nature, and amongst other things, this occurs when hunters and trappers are allowed to maintain the land.