S.L. 549.90 Art. 5General licences for the capture and shooting of wild rabbit.

(1) The general licence for shooting and, or the general licence for the capture of wild rabbit may be granted by the

Commissioner and the Wild Birds Regulation Unit if an applicant satisfies the criteria set by both the Commissioner and the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

(2) For the purpose of sub-regulation (1), the Wild Birds

Regulation Unit shall set exams to determine the knowledge of these regulations and the use and safe-carrying of fire-arms of those applicants, who have already satisfied the criteria set by the Commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of Part XV of the

Code of Police Laws.

(3) Re-sits will be set for those applicants who fail the exams established in sub-regulation (2).

(4) Sittings, including re-sits, for the exams established under the provisions of sub-regulations (2) and (3) shall be set against the payment of a fee, as prescribed in Schedule IV.

(5) The Commissioner shall be responsible for issuing the licences for the shooting and, or capture of wild rabbit to those applicants who pass the exams set by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

(6) No person shall be issued with a general licence or have his general licence renewed, unless such person:

(a) has effected all the necessary payments as required by Schedule IV, including having paid for and obtained the necessary licences required under Part XV of the

Code of Police Laws;

(b) is a member of a recognised hunting organisation;

(c) in the case of shooting, holds an insurance policy against third party risks to persons or damage to property;

(d) in the case of general licence renewal, has paid the respective renewal fee to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit for the applicable licence as found in Schedule IV.

(7) The Wild Birds Regulation Unit may issue the following general licences in terms of these regulations:

(a) the licence to shoot wild rabbit;

(b) the licence to capture wild rabbit.

(8) Subject to the provisions of sub-regulation (6), an individual may apply and obtain any one or more of the general licences referred to in sub-regulation (7).

(9) Without prejudice to the provisions of these regulations, the licence issued in accordance with these regulations shall remain valid for a period of five years and may be renewed for further periods of five years upon payment of the licence fee stipulated in Schedule IV and if the Wild Birds Regulation Unit is satisfied that the criteria established in sub-regulation (6) are satisfied.

(10) A licensee in possession of a general licence issued in terms of these regulations shall not be exempt from obtaining any other licence which may be required where his planned activity is regulated by any other regulations or by any provision under these regulations.

(11) Any person licensed to shoot and, or, capture wild rabbit under these regulations shall report to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit through the game reporting system, as may be prescribed, the following information:

(a) before leaving the hunting area, the number of rabbits killed and the number of rabbits captured;

(b) the geographical location where the rabbits were hunted or captured;

(c) any other matter which may be specified by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit from time to time.

(12) The Wild Birds Regulation Unit, assisted by the Executive Police, shall immediately suspend the relevant general licence for a period of one (1) year whenever a licensee accumulates in aggregate twelve (12) penalty points or more during a two (2) year period, in accordance with regulation 12.

(13) During the period of suspension of the relevant licence in accordance with sub-regulation (12), the licensee shall be rendered ineligible to apply for a licence or permit to participate in any research activity provided for in accordance with the first proviso to regulation 23(1) of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations.

(14) The Wild Birds Regulation Unit shall return the relevant general licence to the licensee following termination of the suspension period in accordance with sub-regulation (12).