Hunting in Abu Dhabi explained: What and where can you hunt; which licences required
What kind of hunting is allowed?
Abu Dhabi does not operate a general system that allows people to freely hunt wild animals across the emirate. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi regulates traditional wild hunting under Abu Dhabi's hunting legislation and environmental controls.
The permitted traditional activity is falconry. Licensed falconers may hunt captive-bred Houbara bustards during the authorised hunting season. Other wild animals, birds and reptiles are not covered by the traditional hunting licence and must not be hunted or disturbed.
Which licence do you need?
Anyone who wants to practise traditional falconry hunting in Abu Dhabi must obtain the appropriate traditional hunting licence (falconry) issued under the emirate's regulatory system.
EAD says applicants can apply through the Abu Dhabi Government's TAMM platform. The applicant uses UAE Pass to access the digital government services and selects the relevant falconry licence service.
- The applicant must be a UAE citizen.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- The falcon used for hunting must be registered in the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment's Falcon Registration System.
- The traditional hunting licence must be obtained before participating in the activity.
- The licence applies only to the authorised hunting season and conditions stated by the authorities.
Where can you hunt in Abu Dhabi?
Licensed falconry is not permitted everywhere in the emirate. EAD specifies that traditional hunting is restricted to open areas and must comply with separation requirements around roads and restricted locations.
Falconers must stay at least two kilometres away from main and secondary roads. Hunting is also restricted around protected and prohibited locations, including forests, residential areas, private areas, military facilities and petroleum facilities.
- Nature reserves and protected areas
- Forests
- Residential areas
- Private or prohibited locations
- Military facilities
- Petroleum and oil facilities
- Areas within two kilometres of main or secondary roads
How far must hunters stay from roads?
One of the most important geographical restrictions is the two-kilometre buffer from main and secondary roads. This requirement is intended to keep traditional hunting activity away from transport routes and other areas where hunting could create safety or environmental concerns.
A licence by itself does not mean that every desert location is automatically available for hunting. Falconers must follow the location restrictions and the specific conditions attached to their licence.
When is hunting season?
Falconry hunting in Abu Dhabi is seasonal rather than a year-round activity. EAD announces the permitted dates and conditions for each season.
For the most recently published season, EAD extended the 2025–2026 traditional hunting season from 20 October 2025 until 5 February 2026. That season has now ended.
The dates for the next season should be checked with EAD before anyone plans a hunting trip. An old licence or an expired season does not authorise hunting outside the dates specified by the authorities.
How much did the licence cost?
EAD announced a fee of AED 127 per season through TAMM for the traditional hunting licence for the 2025–2026 season.
Because licence fees and seasonal conditions can change, applicants should verify the amount displayed on TAMM when applying for the relevant season rather than relying on an older fee.
What species can be hunted?
This is one of the most important points for anyone unfamiliar with Abu Dhabi's hunting regulations. The traditional falconry licence does not provide permission to hunt any wild animal found in the desert.
EAD identifies the Houbara bustard as the permitted quarry for licensed traditional falconry, with the rules specifying captive-bred Houbara. Other wild animals, birds and reptiles remain protected from hunting under the relevant rules.
What about driving through the desert?
Falconry regulations also contain environmental requirements. Licensed hunters must not drive vehicles over vegetation or damage it, and the hunting environment must be kept clean.
The licence also cannot simply be handed to another person. EAD requires the licence holder to carry the licence while hunting and present it to the competent authorities when requested.
Why are the rules so strict?
Abu Dhabi's hunting framework is designed to balance cultural heritage with wildlife conservation. Falconry has deep roots in Emirati culture, but modern regulation is intended to ensure that traditional hunting does not undermine wildlife populations or sensitive habitats.
The emirate has also invested heavily in Houbara conservation and captive breeding. This means traditional falconry operates within a broader conservation system rather than as unrestricted hunting of wild animals.
Falconry remains a major part of UAE heritage
Falconry is much more than a hunting practice in the UAE. It is associated with desert life, traditional knowledge, horsemanship and the relationship between people and birds of prey.
Events such as the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition showcase this heritage through falconry displays, competitions, exhibitions and educational activities.
Watch traditional falconry footage
The following video is published by the Zayed Digital Channel and documents traditional falconry heritage, including the relationship between the falconer, the falcon and Houbara hunting.
Before planning a hunting trip
Anyone considering traditional falconry in Abu Dhabi should first confirm the current season dates, licence conditions and permitted areas with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
Regulations can change between seasons. The safest approach is to rely on the latest EAD announcement and the conditions displayed through the official TAMM service rather than assuming that a previous season's dates or licence conditions remain valid.
- Confirm that the current falconry season is open.
- Check that you meet the UAE citizenship and age requirements.
- Make sure the falcon is registered with the relevant authority.
- Obtain the traditional hunting licence through TAMM.
- Hunt only the species authorised by the licence.
- Stay within permitted open areas.
- Remain at least two kilometres from main and secondary roads.
- Stay away from protected, private, residential, military and petroleum areas.
- Follow the sunrise-to-sunset restriction and all seasonal conditions.
- Carry the licence while hunting and present it when requested.
Bottom line
Hunting in Abu Dhabi is a highly regulated traditional activity rather than unrestricted desert hunting. The legal route is through licensed falconry, with captive-bred Houbara bustards identified as the permitted quarry and strict restrictions on locations, seasons and environmental conduct.
For the latest season, licence applicants should use TAMM and check the current Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi requirements. Since the 2025–2026 season ended on 5 February 2026, readers should not assume those dates remain valid for the upcoming season.
Regulations: Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi hunting and falconry regulations.
Season information: Abu Dhabi Media Office / Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
Hero photo: Experience Abu Dhabi / Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.
Second photo: Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX).
Video: Zayed Digital Channel / Abu Dhabi Media Company.
Important: Copyright for photographs and video remains with the respective owners and publishers. This article is independently written and originally worded for publication.
