The 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.
Game birds
| Species |
England, Wales and Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
| Pheasant |
Oct 1 - Feb 1 |
Oct 1 - Jan 31 |
| Grey Partridge |
Sep 1 - Feb 1 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
| Red-Legged Partridge |
Sep 1 - Feb 1 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
| Red Grouse |
Aug 12 - Dec 10 |
Aug 12 - Nov 30 |
| Black Grouse |
Aug 20 - Dec 10 |
- |
| Ptarmigan |
Aug 12 - Dec 10 |
- |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- No game may be killed on Sundays or Christmas Day.
- Game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Scotland
- Game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Northern Ireland
- All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day.
- Wild birds may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Wildfowl, Geese and Waders
| Species |
England, Wales and Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
| Duck and Goose (inland) |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
| Duck and Goose (below high water mark) |
Sep 1 - Feb 20 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31
|
| Common Snipe |
Aug 12 - Jan 31 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
| Woodcock |
Oct 1 - Jan 31
(Scotland Sep 1 - Jan 31)
|
Oct 1 - Jan 31 |
| Golden Plover |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
| Coot and Moorhen |
Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
Protected |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- Sunday shooting of wildfowl is not permitted in the following counties or county boroughs: Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.
Scotland
- Wildfowl may not be shot on Sunday or Christmas Day.
Northern Ireland
- All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day.
- Wild birds may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Ground Game
| Species |
England, Wales and Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
| Brown Hare |
Jan 1 - Dec 31
(Scotland Oct 1 - Jan 31)
|
Aug 12 - Jan 31 |
| Mountain Hare |
Aug 1 - Feb 28/29 |
- |
| Rabbit |
Jan 1 - Dec 31 |
No close season |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- Ground game can only be killed with firearms on moorland or unenclosed land between 11 December and 31 March.
Northern Ireland
- Irish Hare is fully protected under a Special Protection Order which has to be renewed regularly.
- Ground game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Deer
| Species |
England, Wales & Northern Ireland
|
Scotland |
| |
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 |
Jul 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
- Deer may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Northern Ireland
- Deer may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Wild Boar
- No statutory close season, but culling should not include sows with dependant offspring.
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