As part of the government’s consultation on amending the seasons for various bird species in England, Scotland and Wales came the news that the government is proposing to create a close season for woodpigeon in Britain. On the face of it, this could be misconstrued as a restriction on woodpigeon shooting. That is not the case.
The proposal is to add woodpigeon to Schedule 2.1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and by doing so establish a close season for them. By creating a close season, they will also create an open season, during which it will be legal to shoot them for their meat and for recreation.
At the moment, woodpigeon can be shot all year round, but only under general licence specifically for the prevention of serious damage to crops and foodstuffs in England, Scotland and Wales. If a woodpigeon is shot by someone on a driven pheasant day, and they have not done so to prevent serious damage to crops, etc., they have committed an offence.
The proposals confirm that none of the governments in England, Scotland and Wales have plans to withdraw the general licences that allow year-round woodpigeon control.
The introduction of a close and open season, in conjunction with maintaining the general licences, means that woodpigeon can still be shot all year round for crop protection, but they can also be shot for meat and recreation during their open season, which is proposed as 1 September to 31 January.
This proposal is therefore a derestriction of woodpigeon shooting and is in keeping with the considerations of the former Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, in 2019.
Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said:
“Making the woodpigeon a legitimate quarry species would allow pigeon shooting to happen without unnecessary restrictions outside the peak breeding season.
It is an historical anomaly that the woodpigeon is not on the quarry list. It is a very successful species and it is perfectly possible for shooters to harvest large numbers of pigeons every year without any impact on the overall population.
Pigeon is also a very tasty, lean meat which is popular with shooters and increasingly in demand in restaurants as well."
This sensible measure stands out in a consultation containing numerous proposals which are disproportionate, unjustifiable and totally disregard science and evidence.
You can respond to the consultation, which closes on 17 May 2026, with the help of our suggested answers here.