The new hunting season is set to officially begin on Sunday, November 2, 2025, with an estimated 37,000 hunters expected to participate.
Hunting is permitted for all game species, with the primary targets being the partridge, hare, francolin, wood pigeon, and woodcock, according to Game and Fauna Service Spokesman Petros Anayiotos, who spoke to philenews.
Game and Fauna Service details enforcement and rules
Hunters are expected to begin their excursions at first light on Sunday. The early hours and first outings are typically of the most interest to the majority of participants, Anayiotos said.
Anayiotos explained that a work plan has been prepared for the entire Game and Fauna Service staff, who will operate from Saturday afternoon until late Sunday evening.
During this period, the service will conduct checks for hunting licences and ensure the protection of prohibited hunting areas, among other enforcement activities.
Permitted dates and bag limits set
The new season for migratory and endemic game will run from Sunday, November 2, 2025, through December 28, 2025. Hunting is permitted only on Sundays and Wednesdays, totalling 17 allowed excursions.
The permitted game species and bag limits per hunter per excursion are:
| Game Species | Bag Limit (Per Hunter/Excursion) |
|---|---|
| Hare | one |
| Partridge | four |
| Francolin | one |
| Other Game | No limit |
The Game and Fauna Service reminded hunters that the mandatory recording of all game harvested is required through the Artemis Cy application. This declaration must be completed before entering a vehicle, either for transport or upon the completion of the outing.
The service noted that this mandatory recording collects valuable data that plays a significant role in the continuation of hunting certain species in Cyprus. In exceptional cases where the app cannot be used, hunters may send a text message (SMS) with their ID number, game species, and number of animals (e.g., 000000 Partridge 2) to the following numbers for each district.
Nicosia: 99201081, 99201231
Limassol: 99201258, 99201503
Paphos: 99201946, 99202286
Larnaca/Famagusta: 99202463, 99203228
Hunter obligations and safety directives
The Game and Fauna Service urged hunters to exercise responsibility and observe safety measures:
Mandatory Documents and Prohibitions:
- Hunters must carry their renewed hunting licence, firearm possession licence, and, if applicable, their hunting dog use permit.
- Hunting dogs must be marked and registered on the licence via the electronic platform https://gws.moi.gov.cy.
- The lighting of fires outside designated areas is prohibited.
- Transporting weapons on agricultural or non-asphalt roads is prohibited 60 minutes before and 60 minutes after the permitted hunting hours.
Safety Instructions:
- Wear hunter orange (hat or 30% of clothing).
- Wear protective glasses.
- Inform someone of your hunting location, and do not hunt alone.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages, and do not overestimate your strength.
- Confirm your target before pulling the trigger; never shoot low or instinctively.
- Do not walk with a finger on the trigger.
- Unload the weapon when crossing obstacles or moving over difficult terrain.
- Weapons must be transported in vehicles only when disassembled and inside a case.
- Hunters must remember that a shotgun can cause serious injury up to 100 metres away.
Hunting Proximity Restrictions:
Hunting is prohibited near residences and military installations:
- Within a 500-metre radius of residential areas.
- Within 200 metres of isolated houses.
- Within 300 metres of military installations.
Penalties and Reporting:
Hunters must check their excursion areas via the Artemis Cy application. Violations carry high penalties:
- Hunting without a license or in a prohibited area: Out-of-court fine of €2,000 or more.
- Poaching during the night: Out-of-court fine of €25,000 or more.
The Service also published specific phone numbers for reporting illegal activity, in addition to the police line 1414.
Social Media Responsibility:
In a separate announcement, the Game and Fauna Service called on all hunters to avoid publishing photos or videos that offend the sport of hunting, stating that hunting is both a passion and a responsibility.
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