RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has announced that the hunting season in Saudi Arabia will start from Friday until Jan. 31, 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Hunters with rifles and falconers registered with the Saudi Falcons Club must apply for permits through the Fitri platform.  Participants will only be allowed to hunt certain species specified on the center’s website and Fitri platform, which excludes endangered animals and birds of prey — to ensure the protection of the Kingdom’s environment.  Moreover, hunters are only allowed to use firearms registered under their name and must refrain from other methods that can capture more than one animal or bird, such as shotguns and nets. Also, the regulations prohibit hunters from using gases, vehicle-exhaust fumes, drowning methods and lures. Hunters are also not allowed to operate within the boundaries of cities, villages, rest houses and farms, the center warned. It is also prohibited to hunt around military, industrial and vital facilities, inside protectorates and major projects, and within a distance of 20 km from the Kingdom’s shores.  The center said that those who break the law would be penalized. The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Special Forces for Environmental Security and other relevant authorities, will be in charge of arresting violators.