The turtle dove population has plummeted by about a third across Europe over the past sixteen years. Maltese hunters can benefit from some exemptions from the Community "Birds" Directive, consequently these birds and quail can be hunted even at the end of winter. Based on a ruling by the European Court of Justice, these exemptions were granted as long as the total number of turtle doves on the Mediterranean island remains at favorable and acceptable levels.
Those opposed to spring hunting are pointing to the fact that current levels aren't encouraging at all, though we have to wait for scientific data to speak in this sense. Precisely in 2015 the Maltese rejected the ban on hunting in the spring through a referendum: 50,4% of those who voted were in favor of the continuation, then last autumn there was the inclusion of turtledoves in the so-called "red list". Among the measures decided by the local government to regulate hunting, however, are the reduction of the months of the autumn season (five to be precise and until September 30th): among other things, Malta is the place chosen by turtledoves to begin their migration, although very few are seen after September, one of the reasons why it is said that hunting does not have a significant impact on the population.
In the previous spring hunting sessions the number of registered birds never exceeded five thousand units, for example in 2014 the turtle doves were just over 4 thousand, while last year they barely exceeded two thousand. The data and various information to which reference is being made, however, they will have to be studied with greater care before taking initiatives and proceeding with other calendars and abatements.
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We Maltese hunters don't take odds like you in autumn so leave us alone !!!!!