The hunting plan in Aragon allows hunting goats and roe deer all year round

The Government of Aragon has announced, through the Official Gazette of Aragon, the approval of the new General Hunting Plan for the 2024-2025 season. This regulation will govern hunting activities for the approximately 50,000 people who practice hunting in the region. One of the main novelties is the authorization to hunt female roe deer throughout the year in municipalities where this species causes significant damage to agriculture, as well as the hunting of wild domestic goats, considered invasive exotic species.

Administrative simplification

The updates to the plan, developed by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food of the Government of Aragon, mainly seek to simplify administrative procedures for the owners of hunting grounds and hunters in general. They also aim to ensure the sustainability of game species and control agricultural damage caused by some species.

Main New Features of the Plan

Thermal Imaging Devices: During hunting, the use of devices with electronic light converters or amplifiers, such as infrared and thermal imaging devices, is permitted as long as they are not mounted on the weapon. However, these devices may not be used to hunt hares and birds.

Roe deer hunting: The hunting season for roe deer will be adjusted to avoid overlapping seasons and to facilitate both the presentation of results and the application for harvesting plans. In addition, roe deer hunting will be permitted throughout the year in municipalities with agricultural problems due to this species.

Hunting of Feral Domestic Goats: In order to better control the population of this invasive species, hunting will be permitted throughout the year.

Rabbit Hunting: Rabbit hunting with .22 calibre firearms is permitted. In non-hunting areas, only authorised hunters may use methods other than hunting with a ferret in a burrow. Ferrets used in hunting do not need to be registered or microchipped, although their owners must have a valid hunting licence.

Additional Regulations

Bear hunts: Bear hunt warning signs may be placed the day before and must indicate the date and time of the start and end. Bear hunts on non-hunting lands will require a request from the person in charge of the hunt. Specific rules have been established for the control of the wild boar population in areas where bears are present, including protocols and resolutions to temporarily suspend bear hunts if the presence of bears is confirmed.

Compensation and Population Control: The cost of illegal hare hunting is increased to €300. In addition, an annex has been added listing the municipalities where roe deer hunting will be permitted throughout the year and detailing how to assess agricultural damage and control the pigeon population using firearms.

This new plan reflects the commitment of the Government of Aragon to balance hunting activity with environmental protection and the mitigation of agricultural damage, thus ensuring sustainability and responsibility in the practice of hunting.

Access all the details at this link: https://www.boa.aragon.es/cgi-bin/EBOA/BRSCGI?CMD=VEROBJ&MLKOB=1339144060909