The unsung heroes of the Glorious 12th
Countryside Alliance Head of Shooting Campaigns Liam Stokes writes: Grouse shooting is shooting on...
about this blogRead moreThe majority of game can only be shot during specific times of the years to allow them to breed and successfully migrate to their wintering grounds. A basic guide to the shooting seasons is given below.
GAMEBIRD & WATERFOWL OPEN SEASON:
Pheasant
1st October - 1st February
Partridge - Grey & Red-legged
1st September - 1st February
Red Grouse
12th August - 10th December
Duck and Goose
1st September - 31st January (Inland)
1st September - 20th February (Below High Water Mark)
Common Snipe
12th August - 31st January
Woodcock
1st October - 31st January
GROUND GAME OPEN SEASON
Brown Hare
1st January - 31st December (England & Wales)
1st October - 31st January (Scotland)
12th August - 31st January (Northern Ireland)
1st October - 31st January (Scotland)
12th August - 31st January (Northern Ireland)
Wild Rabbit
They have no closed season due to being considered a pest.
DEER OPEN SEASONS
Roe Deer
Bucks: 1 st Apr-31 st Oct (England and Wales)
1 st April – 20 th Oct (Scotland)
Does: 1 st Nov-31 st March (England and Wales)
21 st Oct-31 st March (Scotland)
Fallow Deer
Bucks: 1 st Aug-30 th April
Does: 1 st Nov-31 st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)
21 stOct-15 th Feb (Scotland)
Red Deer
Stags 1
st Aug-30
th Apr (England, Wales and N Ireland)1
st July -20
th Oct (Scotland)
Hinds: 1
st Nov-31
st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)21
st Oct-15
th Feb (Scotland)
S ika Deer
Stags: 1 st Aug-30 thApr (England, Wales, N. Ireland)
1 st Jul - 20 th Oct (Scotland)
Hinds: 1 st Nov-31 st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)
21 st Oct-15 th Feb (Scotland)
Muntjac Deer
They have no closed season becuase they have the ability of breeding all year around, so a closed season to make sure they breed successfully is worthless.
Bucks & Does - 1st Novermber - 31st MarchNote this is the only deer species were both sexes have the same closed season. This is because the sexes can not be easily told apart. Therefore the female can breed successfully without being mistaken for a male and being shot.
For a colourful and instructive chart of all the seasons and when is best to source the meat please click here.
S ika Deer
Stags: 1 st Aug-30 thApr (England, Wales, N. Ireland)
1 st Jul - 20 th Oct (Scotland)
Hinds: 1 st Nov-31 st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)
21 st Oct-15 th Feb (Scotland)
Muntjac Deer
They have no closed season becuase they have the ability of breeding all year around, so a closed season to make sure they breed successfully is worthless.
Chinese Water Deer
Bucks & Does - 1st Novermber - 31st MarchNote this is the only deer species were both sexes have the same closed season. This is because the sexes can not be easily told apart. Therefore the female can breed successfully without being mistaken for a male and being shot.
For a colourful and instructive chart of all the seasons and when is best to source the meat please click here.
![[Shooting]](https://www.countryside-alliance.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Shooting/Rifle%20with%20suppressor_Shutterstock_February%202024_1400x930px.jpg?width=365&name=Rifle%20with%20suppressor_Shutterstock_February%202024_1400x930px.jpg)