Turtledove hunting season closes on Sunday, with hunters facing their final outing of the year.
Under decisions by the Game Fund Service and strict European Union guidelines, turtledove hunting ends at sunset regardless of whether Cyprus’ national quota of 15,756 birds has been reached.
The season began on Sept. 2, 2026, and Sunday, Sept. 20, marks the last hunting day. The maximum limit is six turtledoves per hunter per outing and 12 per season, with hunters required to immediately report each bird taken through the Artemis Cy app.
Many hunters have complained that the season is ending just as large flocks of turtledoves have begun passing through, meaning they will miss out on watching the birds’ flight and maneuvers.
Similar restrictions apply to quail hunting, based on related EU recommendations and limits. The maximum per hunter per outing is eight quail, while the national quota is 66,120 birds. Quail hunting is permitted from Aug. 23, 2026, to Dec. 27, 2026, with each bird taken required to be reported immediately through the Artemis Cy app.
