NCW Announces Commencement of 2025 - 2026 Hunting Season

The National Center of Wildlife (NCW) announced that the hunting season in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the current year begins today, September 1, 2025, and will continue until January 31, 2026.
 The 2025 season follows updated hunting regulations designed to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, protect biodiversity, and preserve ecological balance in line with the Environment Law. The update was informed by scientific research, international best practices, and expert input, and builds on lessons learned from previous hunting seasons while reflecting the Kingdom’s international commitments.
 The permitted hunting period covers only species listed on NCW's official website and the Fitri platform. Hunters with licensed firearms authorized for hunting, as well as falconers registered with the Saudi Falcons Club, must obtain hunting permits through the Fitri platform. Hunting of endangered wildlife species remains permanently prohibited. It is also banned in restricted areas such as within cities, villages, farms, rest houses, residential areas, near military or industrial facilities, within protected areas, and across mega projects including NEOM, Qiddiya, and The Red Sea Project. Hunting is further prohibited along the Kingdom’s coasts up to 20 kilometers inland.
 The center stated that hunting is restricted to permitted methods only, prohibiting the use of techniques that capture more than one bird at a time, such as shotguns, nets, electronic lures, or other unauthorized techniques. It emphasized the importance of adhering to environmental law and executive regulations for hunting wildlife, warning that violators would face legal penalties.
 The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Special Forces for Environmental Security and other relevant security agencies, in coordination with the National Center for Wildlife Development, will be responsible for apprehending violators and referring them to the competent authorities for legal action.
 Chief Executive Officer of NCW Dr. Mohammed Qurban stated: “The Kingdom has now entered its fifth regulated hunting season since the system was introduced in 2021. Over these years, NCW has continued to refine the process using lessons learned from past seasons. The initiative has proven successful in promoting sustainable hunting, and we have seen growing awareness among hunters, reflecting their national commitment to protecting natural resources and supporting ecological balance.”
 He further noted: “Saudi Arabia’s efforts in regulating hunting have received broad international recognition, reflected in the Kingdom, through NCW, being awarded the ‘Migratory Species Champion’ award. This honor highlights the Kingdom’s leadership in addressing unsustainable hunting and illegal trade in migratory species, as well as its pivotal role in combating illegal bird hunting across Southwest Asia".
 These efforts form part of the Kingdom’s broader commitment to sustainable environmental management under Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.