UK Game Shooting Seasons
There are many game birds, wildfowl and mammals that can be shot legally within the UK. Seasons which restrict shooting of given creatures at certain times of year, and prohibit their hunting outside of these seasons, are in place to ensure numbers are not depleted.
The game shooting seasons differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the below can be used as a guideline for species-specific seasons. However, you should check locally before shooting anything which may have a closed season, as variations can occur.
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| Species | England, Scotland, Wales | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | October 1st–February 1st | October 1st–January 1st |
| Partridge | September 1st–February 1st | October 1st–January 31st |
| Grouse | August 12th–December 10th | August 12th–November 30th |
| Ptarmigan | August 12th–December 10th | – |
| Blackgrouse | August 20th–December 10th | – |
| Snipe | August 12th–January 31st | September 1st–January 31st |
| Jack Snipe | Protected | September 1st–January 31st |
| Woodcock | October 1st–January 31st | October 1st–January 31st |
| Woodcock (Scotland) | September 1st–January 31st | – |
| Duck & Goose (Inland) | September 1st–January 31st | September 1st–January 31st |
| Duck & Goose (Below High Water Mark) | September 1st–February 20th | September 1st–January 31st |
| Coot / Moorhen | September 1st–January 31st | Protected |
| Golden Plover | September 1st–January 31st | September 1st–January 31st |
| Curlew | Protected | September 1st–January 31st |
| Hare | Cannot be Sold March–July | August 12th–January 31st |
UK Deer Hunting & Shooting Seasons
| Species | Sex | England, N. Ireland, Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Stags | August 1st–April 30th | July 1st–October 20th |
| Hinds | November 1st–March 31st | October 21st–February 15th | |
| Fallow | Bucks | August 1st–April 30th | August 1st–April 30th |
| Does | November 1st–March 31st | October 21st–February 15th | |
| Sika | Stags | August 1st–April 30th | July 1st–October 20th |
| Hinds | November 1st–March 31st | October 21st–February 15th | |
| Roe | Bucks | April 1st–October 31st | April 1st–October 20th |
| Does | November 1st–March 31st | October 21st–March 31st | |
| Red / Sika Hybrids | Stags | August 1st–April 30th (NI Only) | July 1st–October 20th |
| Hinds | November 1st–March 31st (NI Only) | October 21st–February 15th | |
| Chinese Water Deer | Bucks | November 1st–March 31st | – |
| Does | November 1st–March 31st | – | |
| Muntjac | No Closed Season | ||
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