Naturenet: Shooting, Hunting and Angling Seasons
Shooting, Hunting and Angling Seasons
T
he 'Game' means hares, pheasants,
partridges, grouse, heath and moor game and black game but not rabbits.laws and traditions surrounding hunting are complex. Most
animals which are shot or hunted need a time of year when they are left alone,
to avoid unnecessary suffering and in order to keep numbers up. A system of
seasons has evolved whereby certain animals cannot be hunted or shot at certain
times of the year. For obvious reasons this can vary from species to species
and from place to place. To shoot any game, game licences are still required
by law. These should be acquired from the local post office.
These seasons apply in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales (all
dates are inclusive). However variations will occur so be sure to check locally
before you hunt or shoot anything which might have a closed season. Shooting
is largely restricted on Sundays and Christmas Day. Also note that whilst most
of these are enforceable as laws, others are a matter of custom.
Those from abroad might also be advised to note that unlike in American English,
'hunting' and 'shooting' are two different things: this distinction can cause
some confusion to those who are unaware of this.
Species |
England, Scotland and Wales |
Northern Ireland |
Pheasant |
1 October to 1 February
|
1 October to 31
January |
Partridge |
1 September to 1
February
|
1 September to 31
January |
Grouse |
12 August to 10
December |
12 August to 30
November |
Ptarmigan (only found in Scotland) |
12 August to 10
December |
- |
Blackgame (black grouse) |
20 August to 10
December |
- |
Common Snipe |
12 August to 31
January |
1 September to 31
January |
Jack Snipe |
Protected at all times |
1 September to 31
January |
Woodcock |
1 October to 31
January |
1 October to 31
January |
Woodcock - Scotland |
1 September to 31 January |
- |
Duck & Goose - inland |
1 September to 31 January |
1 September to 31
January |
Duck & Goose - below high water mark
of ordinary spring tides |
1 September to 20
February |
1 September to 31
January |
Coot/Moorhen |
1 September to 31 January |
Protected at all times |
Golden Plover |
1 September to 31 January |
1 September to 31 January |
Curlew |
Protected at all times |
1 September to 31 January |
Hare (cannot be sold Mar 1st to July 31st) |
Moorland & unenclosed land subject to closed
season |
12 August to 31
January |
From the Deer
Act 1991 (England and Wales)
Species |
Sex |
England, Wales and
Northern Ireland |
Scotland |
Red |
Stag |
1
August to 30 April |
1
July to October 20 |
Hind |
1
November to 28/29 February |
21
October to 15 February |
Fallow |
Buck |
1
August to 30 April |
1
August to 30 April |
Doe |
1
November to 28/29 February |
21
October to 15 February |
Sika |
Stag |
1
August to 30 April |
1
July to October 20 |
Hind |
1
November to 28/29 February |
21
October to 15 February |
Roe (not currently found in NI) |
Buck |
1
April to 31 October |
1
April to 20 October |
Doe |
1
November to 28/29 February |
21
October to 31 March |
Red / Sika Hybrids (NI only) |
Stag |
1
August to 30 April |
1
July to October 20 |
Hind |
1
November to 28/29 February |
21
October to 15 February |
Chinese Water
Deer
(only found in England)
|
|
1
November to 28/29 February (advisory
only) |
- |
Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer have no statutory close seasons. The British
Deer Society recommends that to avoid orphaning muntjac fawns dependent upon
the mother's milk, only immature and heavily pregnant females (at which time
a previous fawn will be independent) should be culled. For Chinese Water Deer
similarly no statutory season applies but due to difficulties in identifying
immature males and females the above culling period is followed.
The following mammals can be controlled by legally approved
methods all year round - see British
Association for Shooting and Conservation for more information.
- Fox
- Rat
- Mice (except dormice)
- Rabbit
- Grey squirrel
- Mink
- Weasel
- Stoat
- Feral cat
Angling seasons vary widely from area to area and even from river to river.
Closed seasons are now largely a matter of local discretion or custom. It
is always best to consult an official body for local information:
The local fisheries office of the Environment
Agency.
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish
or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its
tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod licence. Coarse
fish close season - 15 March to 15 June inclusive. The coarse fish close season
applies to all rivers, streams and drains in England & Wales, but does
not apply to most stillwaters or canals.
Local District Salmon Fishery Board (number in telephone directory),
or alternatively FishScotland. No rod licence is needed. Note that there is
no legal close season for rainbow trout, grayling, coarse or sea fishing, although
some fisheries do not operate in the winter.
The Department
of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)
Local angling shops are also a good source of information.
This page is derived from information supplied by the British
Association for Shooting and Conservation.
Pages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for
Naturenet