THE START OF THE HUNTING SEASON - Pafos Live 18/8
The Game and Fauna Service wishes all hunters good, safe and responsible hunting!
On the occasion of the first hunting trip, on Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Game and Fauna Service calls on all hunters to comply with the legislation, the rules of safe hunting with absolute responsibility, but also to show respect for fellow hunters, landowners and foreign property.
Turtle dove and quail hunting
It is reminded that:
• The hunt for the turtle dove will begin on 2/9/2026 and will end on 20/9/2026 i.e. It will be prohibited during the first two excursions of the summer hunting season 23/8/2026 and 30/8/2026 (the out-of-court fine for catching a turtledove during the above two days is €2,000). The maximum harvest limit per hunter per excursion is 6 turtle doves, the maximum limit per hunter for the entire period is 12 turtle doves while the maximum national harvest limit is 15,756 turtle doves.
• The quail hunt will also start on 2/9/2026 and the maximum limit per hunter per excursion is 8 quails while the national limit is 66,120 quails.
• In case the harvest limit set for the country is reached earlier, then the hunting of the turtle dove or quail will be terminated immediately.
These measures are taken with a view to protecting the local breeding populations of the turtle dove and the recovery of the species. In recent years, as a result of the management measures implemented, there has been a recovery of the population and this effort should continue with the cooperation and respect of all.
Mandatory harvest recording through Artemis Cy
The recording of the harvest through the Artemis Cy application is mandatory for all game and in all hunting seasons.
Proper and timely recording allows the Service to collect reliable data, which is necessary for the rational and effective management of game.
Especially for the turtle dove and quail, proper recording of harvesting is extremely important for the preservation of their populations. Omission or incorrect recording can affect the management of these species as well as hunting activity both during the current hunting season and in the following years.
Specifically:
All Game:
The recording is done from the option "Record harvest for all Prey" in the Artemis Cy application. The registration must be completed before the hunter boards a means of transport, either to move to another hunting area or to complete the excursion.
Turtle dove, quail and palm pigeon:
The recording must be done immediately and separately for each bird that is being hunted, from the option "Record harvesting only for turtle doves, quails and palm pigeons".
Special attention: The hunt for the palm pigeon begins on 23/8/2026. Hunters are asked to be especially careful not to hunt turtle doves.
In case of inability to access the application
Only in exceptional cases when it is not possible to access the Artemis Cy application, the harvest can be declared via SMS, which should include:
ID number – Prey – Number of prey – Juvenile (N) or Adult (E)
Example:
ID number 000000 Band 1 N
📍 Send SMS by province:
Nicosia: 99201081 & 99201231
Limassol: 99201258 & 99201503
Paphos: 99201946 & 99202286
Larnaca / Famagusta: 99202463 & 99203228
Safety during the excursion
Due to the high temperatures, hunters are invited to:
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Wear light clothing, a hat and appropriate glasses.
• Consume plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Plan in advance the route and the place where they will hunt.
• Allow sufficient time to approach and return to their vehicle.
• Avoid, where possible, hunting alone and inform a person of the exact location where they will be.
• To have planned in advance the way of communication and reaction in case of an emergency.
It is reminded that lighting a fire in unspecified areas is prohibited. Prevailing weather conditions make the risk of fire particularly high.
Check the allowed hunting areas
Before each excursion, hunters are invited to carefully study the permitted hunting areas, through the Artemis Cy application.
For any illegality that comes to their attention, they are invited to immediately inform the Game and Fauna Service or the Police at 1414.
Game and Fauna Service Telephone Numbers:
📍 Nicosia: 99445697 Limassol: 99445728
📍 Larnaca / Famagusta: 99634325
📍 Paphos: 99445679
Safety, responsibility, respect for the law, the environment and fellow hunters are the responsibility of all of us.
