Deadline extended for hunters to declare their catch

The deadline for the submission of mandatory data forms for the 2019-2020 Hunting Season has been extended to July 31.

Conservator of Forests, Denny Dipchansingh said the submissions were due on May 31 in accordance with Regulations 2 (3) of the Conservation of Wild Life Regulations made under Section 24 of the Conservation of Wild Life Act, Chapter 67:01.

The form is a declaration of the number of animals caught for the just concluded hunting season, which usually runs from October 1 to the last day of February. Information requested on the form includes the date of catch, number of animals, weight and condition of animal, it’s sex and location of catch. The information would be used to “manage wildlife resources,” and to ascertain if wildlife populations were being hunted at sustainable levels.

“However, due to the current stay-at-home measures this would have affected the Forestry Division’s normal business operation hours and as such, restricted hunters from submitting their data forms in a timely manner."

As a result, the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has amended the regulations to extend the original deadline from the May 31 to July 31.

He reminded the 11,000 registered hunters in Trinidad and 500 in Tobago to visit any of the Forestry Division locations to submit their forms in the available collection boxes.