Decree-Law No. 251/92 relating to the legal regime for the promotion, exploitation and protection of game resources.

This Decree replaces a Decree issued in 1988, without reversing its fundamental principles. It improves them in several respects, particularly with regard to reducing the different types of hunting permits, establishing a practical examination prior to issuing the hunter's card, and greatly improves the regime for hunting in the National System of Protected Areas. The Decree comprises 15 Chapters dealing with the following: general provisions; hunters; hunting permits and insurance; game; hunting grounds; periods, procedures and conditions for hunting; instruments and facilities for hunting; hunting regimes; breeding game species in captivity and on hunting training grounds; possessing, trading in, and transporting game products; reducing population density of harmful species; the National System of Protected Areas; infringements and penalties; the administration and supervision of hunting; hunting organizations. Hunting is defined as the activity designed for the capture of any wild game species, dead or alive. It is permitted throughout the period from 1 June of each year to 31 May of the following year, provided that the hunter possesses a license and is insured against damage caused to third parties. Hunting permits are of 4 types: general hunting permits, permit for the special hunting regime, permits for non-residents, and special permits. Hunted species are those animal species listed in the schedule to the Decree, as well as domestic or domesticated animals that have returned to the wild. Game wildlife can be the object of large-scale or small-scale hunting. The species listed by Ministerial Decree can only be hunted during the hunting seasons. Hunting may be practised on all lands, and in maritime and continental waters, except for certain zones such as parks or beaches. In order to protect game resources, hunting reserves may be set up by Ministerial Decree. They may be total - where the hunting of any game species is banned - or partial, where specific species may not be hunted. The hunting calendar is laid down by Ministerial Decree and the hunting periods vary from one region of the country to another, and depend on the hunting methods and hunting regimes. With a few exceptions, hunting at night is prohibited, and it may only be practised on certain days of the week. authorized hunting gear is also listed. The hunting regime is either general or special.