Firearms Licensing
On this page you will find advice on applying for or renewing a firearms certificate, the laws on...
Read moreThe majority of game can only be shot during specific times of the years to allow them to breed and/or allow them to successfully migrate. A comprehensive guide to the shooting seasons is given below.
Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland |
Pheasant | Oct 1st - Feb 1st | Oct 1st - Nov 30th |
Grey Partridge | Sept 1st - Feb 1st | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Red-Legged Partridge | Sept 1st - Feb 1st | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Red Grouse | Aug 12th - Dec 10th | Aug 12th - Nov 30th |
Black Grouse | Aug 12th - Dec 10th | - |
Ptarmigan | Aug 12th - Dec 10th | - |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland |
Duck and Goose (inland) | Sept 1st - Jan 31st | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Duck and Goose (below high water mark | Sept 1st - Feb 20th | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Common Snipe | Aug 12th - Jan 31st | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Woodcock |
Oct 1st - Jan 31st (Scotland: Sept 1st - Jan 31st) |
Oct 1st - Jan 31st |
Golden Plover | Sept 1st - Jan 31st | Sept 1st - Jan 31st |
Coot and Moorhen | Sept 1st - Jan 31st | PROTECTED |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland |
Brown Hare | Jan 1st - Dec 31st | Aug 12th - Jan 31st |
Mountain Hare |
Aug 1st - Feb 28th/29th (Scotland: Oct 1st - Jan 31st) |
- |
Rabbit | Jan 1st - Dec 31st | NO CLOSE SEASON |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
Northern Ireland
Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland |
Males | Females | Males | Females | |
Red | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 |
Fallow | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 |
Sika | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 |
Roe | Apr 1 - Oct 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Apr 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Mar 31 |
Chinese Water Deer | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | - |
Muntjac | NO CLOSE SEASON | NO CLOSE SEASON |
Additional restrictions:
England, Wales and Scotland
Northern Ireland
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