Is the issue of the penalty for hunting referred to the mufti or the judge?

The questioner : Shaykh, regarding the issue of hunting and its penalty, is this something that muftis handle, or is it referred to the ruler?

The Shaykh : The judge, I mean, does not hesitate to issue a fatwa. Many of the judges and imams issue fatwas, not just on this but on other matters as well. People generally refer to specific individuals for fatwas.

The questioner : But because hunting sometimes requires the appointment of two judges or something similar.

The Shaykh : Generally, the hunting that takes place in Makkah or between the miqat boundaries and Makkah is usually one of the known matters that does not require a judicial ruling.