Public Consultation for Hunting Regulations in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of the Environment has issued a call to the public to participate in a public consultation process concerning the Hunting Regulations of the Dominican Republic. The regulations cover a total of 20 species, mostly invasive, that are eligible for hunting, along with specified criteria such as hunting type, period, number of specimens, and designated hunting areas.

The Ministry has provided a deadline of July 4 for the general public to submit their observations or suggestions on the proposed project. The objective of these regulations is to “govern the various types of hunting permitted in the Dominican Republic, in accordance with existing legislation, and establish the requirements, procedures, and applicable legal framework for obtaining authorizations.”

The regulations outline that sport hunting is permitted in the country as a recreational activity. Commercial hunting, which involves profiting from parts or by-products, is also addressed. Control hunting, aimed at regulating populations of specific species that pose risks to the national productive system and biodiversity, is included. Additionally, subsistence hunting is acknowledged as a means of sustenance for low-income individuals within certain communities.

According to the document, all forms of hunting must be carried out with the appropriate permits issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

The regulations specify that sport hunting of Florida ducks is permitted from November to March, while Maroon guinea can be hunted between November and April. Rabiche Dove is eligible for hunting from August to December, along with White-winged Dove and Collared Dove during the same period.

The document, currently open for public consultation, also allows for the hunting of invasive species such as the madame saga bird, cowboy bird, boar chest, tricolor nun, house sparrow, ferret, black rat, Norway rat, bigañuelo, feral cat, dog, wild boar, wild pig, green iguana, and bull frog.

Regarding the last two species, the Ministry of the Environment emphasizes that their capture for export will be permitted in order to control and protect biodiversity, as both species have a high reproductive capacity.