MINISTER of Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill has approved the 2012 Game Bird Shooting Season, which is to open on August 18.

The approval was in keeping with the recommendation of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), according to a release from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) -- the administrative arm of the NRCA.

Following its opening on August 18, the season will close on September 23.

"It is mandatory that prospective hunters obtain a Hunter's Licence from the National Environment and Planning Agency or one of the authorised vendors. All persons wishing to purchase a Hunter's Licence must have a Tax Registration Number," NEPA said.

The Game Bird Shooting Season is regulated under the Wild Life Protection Act 1945. Anyone caught hunting without a Hunter's Licence, hunting in game reserves, hunting outside of designated shooting periods, or hunting birds which are not designated game birds as well as exceeding the bag limit can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for one year.

For more information on the 2012 Game Bird Season or to report any illegal shooting, please contact NEPA at 754-7540, toll free 1-888-991-5005.