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RegulationDispatch N°009

Abu Dhabi opens its 2026-2027 falconry season on 20 October

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has set the season from 20 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, with hunting limited to captive-bred houbara bustards and every falcon registered nationally.

2 min read2 sources
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On this page 4
  1. Who may hunt, and what
  2. Field rules
  3. Falcon registration
  4. Sources
Key facts
  • 01Season runs from 20 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.
  • 02Only captive-bred houbara bustards may be hunted.
  • 03Every hunting falcon must be registered in the national registry.

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has announced that the 2026-2027 falconry season runs from 20 October 2026 to 31 January 2027. The framework is Abu Dhabi Hunting Law No. 22 of 2005 and its executive regulations.

Who may hunt, and what

Hunting is open to licensed falconers who are UAE nationals aged 18 or over. Only captive-bred houbara bustards may be hunted. The seasonal licence costs AED 127, is valid for one season and is requested through the TAMM platform with UAE Pass. It cannot be transferred to another person.

Field rules

Hunting takes place in open areas between sunrise and sunset, at least 2 km from main and secondary roads. Protected areas, forests, residential and military areas, petroleum facilities and private property are excluded. Falconers are asked not to disturb other wildlife and not to damage vegetation.

Falcon registration

Any falcon used for hunting must be registered in the national falcon registration system of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. For owners, vets and transporters, this makes an up-to-date registration a practical first check before a bird is flown in the field.

The agency states that the controls allow traditional falconry to continue while protecting wildlife and habitats.

Sources
  1. [1]Khaleej Times, Abu Dhabi falconry season to open October 20 ↗
  2. [2]Abu Dhabi Media Office, Environment Agency announces 2026-2027 falconry season ↗

Scope: general information on documents and procedures, not legal advice. SaqrBridge is neither seller, buyer nor guarantor of any transaction.

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FAQ · Regulation

Frequently asked questions: Regulation

Which permit comes first for an Appendix I falcon, import or export?

The import permit. Under Article III of CITES, the country of origin cannot issue the export permit until the import permit from the country of destination has been presented. Applying in the reverse order leads to a refusal and a restart from zero.

Is a hybrid falcon automatically an Appendix II specimen?

No. A hybrid with a single ancestor from an Appendix I species is treated as an Appendix I specimen. In the European Union, parentage is traced back four generations, so the hybridization formula alone is not enough to determine the applicable regime.

How long is a CITES export permit valid?

Six months from its date of issue. If the rest of the file takes longer, the permit expires and the application has to start over.

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