Shooting Seasons & Quarry Species

Quarry

There are a number of birds, wildfowl (ducks and geese) and animals which can be shot legally. For many species there is a close season during which time it is illegal to shoot them.

The provision of this undisturbed period ensures that they are able to breed and disperse and grow in peace. The species and seasons for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are shown below.

Game(1) , Wildfowl - Open Seasons (dates inclusive) 

Deer - Open Seasons (dates inclusive)

NOTES FOR ATTENTION

1  Game licences in England and Wales were scrapped on August 1 2007. They are still required by law in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These should be acquired from your local post office or through BASC Scotland. ("Game" means hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath and moor game and black game.  Rabbits are not included).

2 Please note BASC Northern Ireland can provide further detail on specific issues relating to Northern Ireland quarry & seasons.

3 Chinese Water Deer no season applies but due to difficulties in identifying immature males and females the above culling period is followed.

4 There is no statutory closed season for this species. It is recommended that when culling female muntjac immature or heavily pregnant does are selected to avoid leaving dependent young.

Please Note: This technical information sheet is for guidance on some of the main laws affecting your sport, if you need any further information please contact the BASC Head Office on 01244 573000 or see your members guide for further information sources, additional publications and detailed information.

Ducks and Geese

Non-Lead Shot use for waterfowl-See specific technical information from BASC Research Team or Country Offices.

England, Wales & Scotland:

The duck and geese species that can be shot are:

White-fronted goose (in England and Wales only)

BASC has had confirmation from Defra that the Sections 2 and 13 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954 which prohibits the shooting of geese on Sundays in certain counties of England (see below) has been superseded by the General Licence.

(Cornwall, Devon, Doncaster, Great Yarmouth, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West ridings of Yorkshire).

The prohibition under the Protection of Birds Act 1954 refer to a season, this season did not include Sundays, Sundays then became seasonally prohibited, not banned. The general licence removes the seasonality of the shooting and in any case takes precedent as a special licence.

That is to say: Canada geese can be shot, on Sundays, anywhere in England, so long as they are taken under the criteria set out in the licence.

Northern Ireland:

There is no shooting on the foreshore after 31st January, shooting of any wild bird including pest species is prohibited at night. Duck and goose species that can be shot are:

Prohibited Methods of Taking/Killing Wildlife (Including Game)

Please note additional legislation applies to deer, further information is available from the BASC Deer Department on 01244 573047

It is illegal to use certain methods for killing or taking wildlife. Unless stated the following offences, which are subject to prosecution, apply to both birds and animals:

- The use of any automatic or semi-automatic weapon against any bird except the Bird Pest Species and some mammals.  "Automatic weapon" and "semi-automatic weapon" includes any weapon the magazine of which is capable of holding more than two rounds.

- The use of any form of artificial lighting, mirror or other dazzling device (see BASC Lamping Code of Practice for exemptions).

- The use of any mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of wildlife for the purpose of killing or taking.

- The use of any self-locking snare.

- The use of any bow or crossbow or explosive other than ammunition for a firearm (or shotgun).

- The use of any live animal or bird as a decoy which is tethered or which is secured by means of braces or other similar appliances, or which is blind, maimed or injured.

- The use of shotgun where the barrel has an internal diameter, at the muzzle, of more than 1¾  inches (Birds only).

- The use of any device for illuminating a target (see BASC Lamping Code of Practice for exemptions inches).

- The use of any sound recording to act as a decoy (Birds only).

The Sale of Dead Wild Birds

The sale of the following dead wild birds is allowed during the period from September 1st - February 28th where present in England, Wales and Scotland:

The sale of dead wild birds is prohibited in Northern Ireland but the sale of the following species is allowed at all times:

The sale of game is subject to the Game Acts, a licence is required to take and/or sell game and is available from main Post Offices.

Bird Pest Species

Control of pest birds such as the woodpigeon and crows must comply with the general licences issued by each country in the UK. It is extremely important that you read the licences and abide by their terms and conditions.

Licences have been renewed for 2007 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

To see more information please click here

Mammals Recognised as Pests

The following mammals can be controlled by legally approved methods all year round:

* All species except Dormice

Hare Seasons:

The Ground Game Act 1880 (Amended 1906) Section 1(3) should be consulted when shooting hares on moorland and unenclosed land in England, Scotland and Wales.

Sunday and Christmas Day Shooting

England & Wales:

No game (including hare) may be shot in any county on any Sunday or on Christmas Day. No wildfowl may be shot in the following counties on Sunday because orders prohibiting it were made under the Protection of Birds Act 1954: Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Camarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Lees County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.

Northern Ireland (Wildlife Order Northern Ireland):

All wild birds are protected on Sunday or on Christmas Day.

Scotland:

There are no statutory restrictions on the killing of game on Sunday or on Christmas Day although it is not customary to do so. Wildfowl may not be shot on any Sunday or on Christmas Day.

Amended: Feb 2005