The National Association of Hunters and Trappers was formed on 17th September 1973, with the clear aim to preserve the Maltese traditional socio-cultural passions of migratory huntable wild birds hunting and capturing with selective nets for the purpose of keeping the caught birds alive in captivity. This is still the primary goal today.

In May 1982 the Association changed its name to The Hunters Association and in July 1984 the Association again changed its name by adding the word conservation.

On the 22nd June 1998 the Association's statute was reconstructed so as to form The Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (Federazzjoni Kaċċaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti FKNK) which incorporates an average of 23 Associations from as many districts and specific committees.

The Federation first received recognition from foreign hunting circles in June 1982. On the 11th September 1987, the Federation joined FACE (The Federation of Association for Hunting & Conservation in the EU), and as such is represented at FACE Board level. FACE represents the interests of over 7,000,000 hunters throughout Europe, and as such incorporates Member Associations from 36 countries and 4 hunting related Associate Members. On the 26th May 1989, the Federation was also accepted as a member of CIC (The International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation) and on the 6th July, 1995, the Maltese Federation was one of the founder members of AECT (The Association of Traditional Hunting in Europe). In the year 2000 the FKNK was also one of the founder members of the Communications Group within FACE, InterFACE. In 2008 the FKNK formed part of FACE Members within the Mediterranean basin to set up FACE MED and also became a member of ELO (European Landowners Organisation).

The FKNK is by far the largest NGO in the Maltese Islands with over 10,000 adult paid-up members.

Maltese hunters and trappers, and hunting and trapping related activities contribute €82,000,000 towards Maltas Gross Domestic Product per annum (2007).