Melissa clips bird hunters’ wings

Jamaica's upcoming game bird hunting season will be significantly curtailed due to the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa on bird populations. The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) has opted for a shortened five-week season, running from August 22 to September 20, with unprecedented restrictions, particularly in the western part of the island where approximately 40 percent of the country's hunting activity occurs.

Initially, scientific experts expressed grave concerns, with some recommending the cancellation of the entire 2026 season. Following the hurricane, field assessments revealed significant damage to bird populations and their habitats. "I think they were of the strong opinion that there should be no shooting at all in the West. Some said none at all in entirety," stated NRCA Chairman Christopher Whyms-Stone.

The NRCA board subsequently requested experts to propose alternative measures if hunting were to be permitted. The resulting plan includes a complete prohibition on shooting the white-crowned pigeon, commonly known as the bald pate, in the western parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth. These five parishes bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa.

Ricardo Miller, NEPA’s coordinator for the Fauna Ecosystems Management Branch, described the devastating effects of the Category 5 hurricane. Research indicates high bird mortality during major storms. Birds that survived faced habitat loss, food shortages, increased predator exposure, and altered microclimates. Miller noted unusual behavior, such as bald pates normally found in trees foraging on the ground and in yards.

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I think they were of the strong opinion that there should be no shooting at all in the West. Some said none at all in entirety.