September 15th, 2023:- Citizens are hereby notified that the sale of State Game Licenses will commence as of Monday 18th September 2023. The hunting season officially opens in Trinidad and Tobago from 1st October 2023 to 29th February 2024. During the month of March, 2024, the listed Game Species are removed from the schedule and HUNTING is PROHIBITED. All State Game Licences (SGL) are TT$100.00 per Game Specie and there is a limit of three (3) State Game Licences per hunter.
In order to ensure that there are no violations of the Conservation of Wild Life Act (COWA), all hunters are asked to familiarize themselves with (COWA) Chapter 67:01 and to please be aware of the following:
- All State Game Licences (SGL) according to the (COWA) Chapter 67:01, enable hunters/licensees to hunt the game species specified on their respective licence on State Lands and Forest Reserves.
- All hunting and or possession of Iguana (Iguana iguana) is prohibited during the months of January, February and March. The fine for which is Ten Thousand Dollars (TT$10,000.00). Hunting of the Lizard Species Iguana ends on December 31st, 2023. Similarly, hunting of lizards are NOT permitted within the municipal boundaries of the city of Port of Spain. (Legal notice No. 281 of 2019) and (Regulations (6) (1) (c) and (7) (1A).
- Persons have until March 31st, 2024 to dispose of Game Animal carcasses (or any part thereof) from their property and or their possession with the exception of Game animal – Iguanas which must be disposed on or before (midnight) December 31st, 2023.
- Holders of State Game Licences purchased for the 2023-2024 Hunting Season must correctly complete and submit the Mandatory Data Return Forms on or before May 31st, 2024. (Failure to comply may result, on summary conviction of Five Thousand Dollars (TT$5,000.00) per data form).
ALL first-time hunters should present:
- One form of valid government issued identification, namely National Identification Card, Drivers Permit or Passport.
- A recent utility bill (not older than three (3) months with necessary authorization letter should utility bill be on another person’s name) for verification of address.
Permits can be obtained at the following Forestry Division Offices in Trinidad and the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development sales centres (as directed) in Tobago, Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Except on Public Holidays and Weekends.
| STATION | TELEPHONE CONTACT |
| Forestry Office, Damarie Hill, Sangre Grande | 225-3728 |
| Forestry Office, Long Circular Road, St. James | 225- 3875 |
| Forestry Office, Pleasantville, San Fernando | 225-3777 / 3774 / 3778 |
| District Revenue Office, Chaguanas | 671-4773 |
| Forestry Office, Rio Claro | 644-2241 / 630-4395 |
| District Revenue Office, Tunapuna | 662-2797 |
| Scarborough District Revenue Office (Tobago) | 665-5869 |
| Roxborough District Revenue Office (Tobago) (Monday, Wednesday and Friday ONLY) | 660-4379 |
– END –
Submission of Mandatory Data Forms for the 2020-2021 Hunting Season
The Public is kindly advised that in accordance with Regulations 2 (3) of the Conservation of Wildlife Regulations made under Section 24 of the Conservation of Wild Life Act, Chapter 67:01, Submission of Mandatory Data Forms for the 2020-2021 Hunting Season becomes due on or before Monday 31st May, 2021.
Persons whose Mandatory Data Forms have either been lost or destroyed must report the same to the police and submit the receipt given to them by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on or before the 31st May, 2021.
The Forestry Division is therefore reminding persons who are in receipt of the Mandatory Data Forms, to please visit any of the Division’s sales locations and submit their forms in the available Collection Boxes.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), is thankful for your support and looks forward to continuing serving you.
NB. The Forestry Division continues to abide with strict COVID-19 protocol.
Denny Dipchansingh
Conservator of Forests/ Chief Game Warden
Closure of the 2020-2021 Hunting Season
The Public is hereby notified of the closure of the 2020-2021 Hunting Season effective March 1st, 2021 and the following will apply:
I. Hunting activity of game animals must be ceased on all lands of Trinidad and Tobago.
II. Persons have until March 31st, 2021 to dispose of Game Animal carcasses (or any part thereof) from their property and or their possession.
III. Holders of Hunting Permits purchased for the 2020-2021 Hunting Season must submit the Mandatory Data Return Forms on or before May 31st, 2021. Failure to comply may result in summary conviction of Five Thousand Dollars (TT$5000.00) per data form.
Mandatory Data Forms can be submitted to any of the following stations:
- District Revenue Office, Tunapuna
- Forestry Office, Rio Claro
- District Revenue Office, Chaguanas
- Forestry Division, Long Circular Road, St. James
- Forestry Division, Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville, San Fernando
- Forestry Division, Sangre Grande
- District Revenue Office, Sangster Hill, Scarborough, Tobago
- Inland Revenue Office, Roxborough, Tobago
NB. Following the Ministry’s strict COVID -19 Protocol, persons may be required to use our drop-boxes at these locations and will be contacted by the Forestry Division in due course for the collection of their acknowledgement receipt.
Denny Dipchansingh
Conservator of Forests/ Chief Game Warden
Issuance of State Game Licences for the 2020-2021 Hunting Season
The Conservator of Forests/Chief Game Warden wishes to advise that the hunting of designated wildlife can commence on Friday 4th December, 2020 once legal requirements are complied with. This is consistent with the Government’s announcement on Saturday 21st November, 2020 on hunting. State Game Licences will be sold in Trinidad from tomorrow, (Tuesday November 24th, 2020) between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday at the following Forestry Division Offices:
| § Long Circular Road, St. James | § Rio Claro |
| § San Fernando | § Sangre Grande |
| § Tunapuna | § Chaguanas. |
In relation to Tobago, sale of State Game Licences will start on Wednesday 25th November, 2020 on at Roxborough and Scarborough.
State Game Licences cost $100 each (with a Limit of 3 State Game Licences per hunter). For this year’s sale of State Game Licences a numbering system with a time for collection and payment is being used so that there is no need for waiting and congregation at the various offices. Each station will facilitate on average between 100-150 persons per day. Anyone visiting the Forestry Division Offices to purchase a State Game Licence must adhere to the COVID-19 protocols, in particular, the wearing of face mask and avoiding congregation in accordance with the Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines.
Hunters are encouraged to select a convenient day during this 8-day period before the start of hunting on December 4, 2020 to purchase their Licences and avoid crowding the Forestry Division Offices. State Game Licences can be purchased at any of the six (6) offices in Trinidad and hunters can select the office which they know from experience to have the lower numbers of applicants.
The Ministry thanks all hunters for their continued support and again wishes to remind persons to be responsible and follow the required COVID 19 guidelines, to ensure a safe and successful hunting season.
RESTRICTIONS ON POSSESSION AND SALE OF WILD MEAT FROM
OCTOBER 1, 2020
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in its Media Release dated September 14, 2020 advised that it had postponed the sale of State Game Licences for the purpose of hunting as set out in the Conservation of Wildlife Act. That remains the position based on advice from the Ministry of Health (MoH) that wildlife hunting encourages congregation.
The Ministry also advised that the Conservator of Forests was still considering aspects of hunting. In light of the postponement of the sale of State Game Licences, the Conservator of Forests is aware of the fact that, without changes to the Conservation of Wild Life Regulations, it is still possible to hunt on private lands and possess and/or sell “wild meat” from October 1, 2020. Without controls there is need to ensure that the market for “wild meat” is not flooded by illegally imported meat, creating another public health risk.
Accordingly, the Conservator of Forests has advised the Minister and the Minister has amended the Conservation of Wild Life Regulations. Effective October 1, 2020 until further notice the Second Schedule to the Conservation of Wild Life Act is amended by deleting the list of animals and birds listed in Parts I and II and most of the cage birds listed in Part III.
Further, the Regulations relating to possession and sale of wild meat from October 1, 2020 are also amended. In effect, from tomorrow October 1, 2020 no person shall have in his possession the whole or any part of an animal, serve, purchase, sell, offer, advertise for sale or expose for sale of the carcass or meat, frozen, fresh, cooked or otherwise any animal referred to in the Third Schedule of the Conservation of Wild Life Act Regulations. This includes Agouti, Tattoo, Lappe, Deer and Quenk.
The Conservator of Forests and other officers of the Ministry will be providing more details to the public on these changes so the public is aware of these new restrictions and prohibitions.
No Sale of State Game Licences
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries advises that it has postponed the sale of State Game Licences for the purpose of hunting as set out in the Conservation of Wildlife Act.
This decision was taken by the Conservator of Forests after consultation with the Ministry of Health (MoH) which advised that this activity encourages congregation. It should be noted that at the Press Conference held on Saturday September 12, 2020, the Government confirmed its intention to extend, for a further 28 days to October 11, 2020, the existing regulatory measures designed to manage COVID 19, including the restrictions on congregating. The postponement of the sale of State Game Licences is consistent with these public health measures.
The Conservator of Forests is still considering aspects of hunting including the exercising of dogs which is normally permitted at this time. These other aspects of hunting will be addressed in a subsequent release.
New Deadline Date for Submission of Mandatory Data Forms for the 2019-2020 Hunting Season
May 30, 2020:- The Public is kindly advised that in accordance with Regulations 2 (3) of the Conservation of Wild Life Regulations made under Section 24 of the Conservation of Wild Life Act, Chapter 67:01, Submission of Mandatory Data Forms for the 2019-20 Hunting Season becomes due on or before 31st May, 2020.
However, due to the current ‘Stay at Home Measures’ this would have affected the Forestry Division’s normal business operation hours and as such, restricted hunters from submitting their Data Forms in a timely manner. In this regard, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has amended the regulations to extend the original deadline from the 31st May, 2020 to Friday 31st July, 2020.
The Forestry Division is therefore reminding persons who are in receipt of the Mandatory Data Forms to please visit any of its locations and submit their forms in the available Collection Boxes.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), thanks you for your support and look forward to continue serving you.
Denny Dipchansingh
Conservator of Forests
Download this release
Press Release
The Public is hereby notified of the closure of the 2019-2020 Hunting Season effective March 1st, 2020 and the following applies:
- Hunting activity of game animals must be ceased on all lands.
- Persons have until March 31st, 2020 to dispose of Game Animal carcasses (or any part thereof) from their property and or their possession.
- All hunting and or possession of Iguana (Iguana iguana) is prohibited during the months of January and February, in addition to the month of March. Fine for which is Ten Thousand Dollars (TT$10,000.00)
- Holders of Hunting Permits purchased for the 2019-2020 Hunting Season must submit the Mandatory Data Return Forms on or before May 31st, 2020. (Failure to comply may result, on summary conviction of Five Thousand Dollars (TT$5000.00) per data form).
- Mandatory Data Forms may be submitted to any of the following stations
- District Revenue Office, Siparia
- District Revenue Office, Tunapuna
- Forestry Office, Rio Claro
- District Revenue Office, Chaguanas
- Forestry Division, Long Circular Road, St. James
- Forestry Division, Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville, San Fernando
- Forestry Division, Sangre Grande
- District Revenue Office, Sangster Hill, Scarborough, Tobago
- Inland Revenue Office, Roxborough, Tobago
