Reproduced with the kind permission of BASC

Game(1) , Wildfowl - Open Seasons (dates inclusive)

Species England, Scotland and Wales Northern Ireland(see note 2) Pheasant Oct 1 - Feb 1 Oct 1 - Jan 31 Partridge Sept 1 - Feb 1 Sept 1- Jan 31 Grouse Aug 12 - Dec 10 Aug 12 - Nov 30 Ptarmigan (only found in Scotland) Aug 12 - Dec 10 -- Blackgame (not currently found in NI) Aug 20 - Dec 10 -- Common Snipe Aug 12 - Jan 31 Sept 1 - Jan 31 Jack Snipe Protected at all times Sept 1 - Jan 31 Woodcock Oct 1- Jan 31 Oct 1 - Jan 31 Woodcock - Scotland Sept 1 - Jan 31 -- Duck & Goose - inland Sept 1 - Jan 31 Sept 1 - Jan 31 Duck & Goose - below HWM of ordinary spring tides Sept 1 - Feb 20 Sept 1 - Jan 31 Coot/Moorhen Sept 1 - Jan 31 Protected at all times Golden Plover Sept 1 - Jan 31 Sept 1 - Jan 31 Curlew Protected at all times Sept 1 - Jan 31 Hare (cannot be sold Mar 1st to July 31st) Moorland & unenclosed land subject to closed season Aug 12 - Jan 31

Deer - Open Seasons (dates inclusive)

 

Species Sex England, Wales and Northern Ireland Scotland Red Stags Aug 1 - April 30 July 1 - Oct 20   Hinds Nov 1 - Feb 28th/29th Oct 21 - Feb 15 Fallow Bucks Aug 1 - April 30 Aug 1 - April 30   Does Nov 1 - Feb 28/29th Oct 21 - Feb 15 Sika Stags Aug 1 - April 30th July 1st - Oct 20th   Hinds Nov 1st - Feb 28th/29th Oct 21st - Feb 15th Roe (not currently found in NI) Bucks April 1st - Oct 31st April 1st - Oct 20th Does Nov 1st - Feb 28th/29th Oct21st - Mar 31st Red / Sika Hybrids (NI only) Stags Aug 1st - April 30th July 1st - Oct 20th   Hinds Nov 1st - Feb 28th/29th Oct 21st - Feb 15th Chinese Water Deer - (only found in England)   Nov 1st - Feb 28th/29th (Note: 3) -- Muntjac (not currently found in NI or Scotland)   -- (Note 4) --

NOTES FOR ATTENTION

1  Game licences are still required by law.  These should be acquired from your local post office. ("Game" means hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath and moor game and black game.  Rabbits are not included).

2 Please note BASC Northern Ireland can provide further detail on specific issues relating to Northern Ireland quarry & seasons.

3 Chinese Water Deer no season applies but due to difficulties in identifying immature males and females the above culling period is followed.

4 Muntjac no season applies to this species but recommendations are that does only to be culled if pregnant or immature to reduce leaving dependent young.

Please Note: This technical information sheet is for guidance on some of the main laws affecting your sport, if you need any further information please contact the BASC Head Office on 01244 573000 or see your members guide for further information sources, additional publications and detailed information

Ducks and Geese

Non-Lead Shot use for waterfowl-See specific technical information from BASC Research Team or Country Offices.

England, Wales & Scotland:

The duck and geese species that can be shot are:

 

Gadwall	Goldeneye	Pintail	Pochard
Shoveler	Wigeon	Tufted Duck	Mallard
Teal	Canada	Greylag	Pink-footed

White-fronted goose (in England and Wales only)

Northern Ireland:

There is no shooting on the foreshore after 31st January, shooting of any wild bird including pest species is prohibited at night. Duck and goose species that can be shot are:

Please note additional legislation applies to deer, further information is available from the BASC Deer Department on 01244 573025

It is illegal to use certain methods for killing or taking wildlife. Unless stated the following offences, which are subject to prosecution, apply to both birds and animals:

- The use of any automatic or semi-automatic weapon against any bird except the Bird Pest Species and some mammals.  "Automatic weapon" and "semi-automatic weapon" includes any weapon the magazine of which is capable of holding more than two rounds.

- The use of any form of artificial lighting, mirror or other dazzling device (see BASC Lamping Code of Practice for exemptions).

- The use of any mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of wildlife for the purpose of killing or taking.

- The use of any self-locking snare.

- The use of any bow or crossbow or explosive other than ammunition for a firearm (or shotgun).

- The use of any live animal or bird as a decoy which is tethered or which is secured by means of braces or other similar appliances, or which is blind, maimed or injured.

- The use of shotgun where the barrel has an internal diameter, at the muzzle, of more than 1¾  inches (Birds only).

- The use of any device for illuminating a target (see BASC Lamping Code of Practice for exemptions inches).

- The use of any sound recording to act as a decoy (Birds only).

The Sale of Dead Wild Birds

The sale of the following dead wild birds is allowed during the period from September 1st - February 28th where present in England, Wales and Scotland:

 

Shoveler	Pochard	Coot
Tufted Duck	Mallard	Teal	Pintail
Golden Plover	Woodcock	Common Snipe	Wigeon

The sale of dead wild birds is prohibited in Northern Ireland but the sale of the following species is allowed at all times:

 

Feral Pigeon

Woodpigeon

The sale of game is subject to the Game Acts, a licence is required to take and/or sell game and is available from main Post Offices.

Bird Pest Species

The following thirteen bird pest species may be killed or taken by authorised persons at any time under annual open and general licences issued by the Department of the Environment. No individual has to apply for a licence:

 

Crow	Jackdaw	Magpie	Rook
House Sparrow	Starling	Woodpigeon	Feral Pigeon
Collard Dove*		Herring Gull	Jay*
Lsr Black-backed Gull		Gt. Black-backed Gull

*Protected in Northern Ireland

Mammals Recognised as Pests

The following mammals can be controlled by legally approved methods all year round:

 

Fox	*Rat	*Mice	Rabbit	Grey Squirrel
Mink	Weasel	Stoat	Feral Cat

* All species except Dormice

The Ground Game Act 1880 (Amended 1906) Section 1(3) should be consulted when shooting hares on moorland and unenclosed land in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sunday and Christmas Day Shooting *

England & Wales:
No game (including hare) may be shot in any county on any Sunday or on Christmas Day. No wildfowl may be shot in certain counties on Sunday.

* Detailed list available in BASC members Wildfowl Permit Scheme Booklet

Northern Ireland (Wildlife Order Northern Ireland):
All wild birds are protected on Sunday or on Christmas Day.

Scotland:
There are no statutory restrictions on the killing of game on Sunday or on Christmas Day although it is not customary to do so. Wildfowl may not be shot on any Sunday or on Christmas Day.

Amended: May 2004