Spain will be able to hunt European turtle doves this 2025/2026 season.

The NADEG committee, the European Commission's expert group on the Birds and Habitats Directives, has determined that the necessary conditions for the sustainable use of the European turtle dove are met along the Western Flyway. At its latest meeting, the committee endorsed the reopening of hunting for the species for the 2025/26 season, with a recommended catch rate of 1.5% of the population.

This opinion represents significant support for the efforts made by governments and hunters in various countries, highlighting the role of Spain, France, and Italy. The European Commission has recognized that these countries have successfully implemented monitoring strategies, regulated harvesting, and improved habitats, thus contributing to the growth of the European turtle dove population. In the specific case of Spain, the 30% habitat improvement requirement, a determining factor in the committee's decision, has been met.

Spain, a model for species management

The NADEG committee has underscored Spain's commitment to the conservation of the European turtle dove. Thanks to its involvement in habitat restoration and the implementation of capture control measures, the country has demonstrated effective management that supports the viability of hunting. Preliminary estimates suggest that Spain could benefit from the possibility of hunting starting with the upcoming mid-season, still within the sustainability framework established by the European Commission.

However, the final decision will be made at the next meeting of the NADEG committee, scheduled for April 1. At that meeting, the European Commission will present a document to the member states with the final quota allocation and hunting recommendations. Thus, it will be up to the governments of each country to determine the final conditions for turtledove hunting.

Coordination between administrations and the hunting sector

At the national level, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) has already begun the coordination process with the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation (RFEC) to develop a sustainable turtledove hunting strategy. At a recent meeting, the methodologies that will allow for estimating the total number of captures nationwide and their distribution among the Autonomous Communities were presented.

The MAPA has established the necessary measures to ensure rigorous hunting control, including sealing systems and determining the minimum surveillance effort in designated areas. In addition, spatial and temporal limitation criteria have been defined, establishing a maximum of four hunting days and delimiting areas based on habitat quality and improvements made to them.

The RFEC has urged the MAPA to accelerate the coordination process with the Autonomous Communities so that they can adapt and approve their respective management plans during the month of March.

A milestone in the management of the European turtledove

The announcement of the reopening of turtle dove hunting for the 2025/26 season marks a turning point in the management of this species, combining hunting activities with effective conservation strategies. The involvement of government agencies, hunters, and experts has been instrumental in achieving this goal, demonstrating that sustainable hunting and wildlife preservation can go hand in hand.

With the upcoming NADEG committee meeting looming, all eyes are on the European Commission and national governments, who must consolidate this progress with appropriate regulations and monitoring measures that ensure a balance between hunting activity and species conservation.

Author: María Balletbó