The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has stressed the importance of adhering to Law No. (22) of 2005 regarding hunting in Abu Dhabi and all its associated executive regulations. As the competent authority in Abu Dhabi, EAD oversees the regulation of hunting affairs according to specific conditions.

To that effect, the Agency has stipulated that the hunting only allows licenced falconers to hunt the captive breeding Houbara bustard during the traditional wild hunting season (falconry), which runs from 20th October 2024 to 20th January 2025, ensuring that traditional hunting is practiced within specific legal and environmental controls.

Hunting is restricted to open areas in Abu Dhabi Emirate and must be kept at least two kilometres away from main and secondary roads, prohibited and private places, forests, protected areas, petroleum and military facilities, and residential areas.

The Agency issues falconry licences in accordance with Local Resolution No. (5) of 2021 with regards to amendments made to the executive regulations of the Hunting Law, which supports the wild hunting sector and enhances efforts to preserve ‘the sport of falconry’ – a traditional hunting heritage.

To obtain a falconry licence, the applicant must be a citizen of the UAE, be at least 18 years old, and any falcons used in the hunt must be registered in the Falcon Registration System of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Applicants may participate in this traditional sport only after obtaining a traditional hunting licence (falconry) through the Abu Dhabi Unified Government Services System, ‘TAMM’.

Falconers must apply for a traditional hunting licence through the ‘TAMM’ smart application or the ‘TAMM’ website and can log in using their digital UAE Pass identity. From the list of services, applicants may choose Support Community and Environment and then the ‘Issuing a Falconry Licence’ service.

Upon approval of the terms and conditions, the falconer submitting the application will immediately be issued with an electronic licence through the ‘TAMM’ system.

The licensee must adhere to the environmental requirements of the falconry licence and only hunt during the hours between sunrise to sunset during the hunting period specified in the licence issued for one season only, the dates of which have been set for the 2024-2025 season.

Law No. (22) of 2005 regulating hunting in Abu Dhabi and its executive regulations establishes a framework for hunting activities that comply with environmental controls and standards consistent with the higher objectives of efforts of preserving and protecting wild animal species and that does not conflict with the sustainability of their numbers in their natural habitats.

The law prohibits hunting all types of wild animals, birds and reptiles and causing disturbance to them within the emirate, except for the Houbara bustard bred in captivity after obtaining a hunting licence (falconry) from the Agency as the competent authority.

It also prohibits driving vehicles on vegetation and causing damage to it, and it is prohibited to transfer the hunting licence to another person.

The licence must be carried while hunting and presented to the competent authority and concerned parties upon request. The environment must be kept clean, and littering must not be done.