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The Campaign for Shooting 2024/25 Season...
The Campaign for Shooting is at the forefront of promoting and protecting shooting in Westminster,...
about this blogRead moreThe 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 12 - 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 |
| Jack Snipe | PROTECTED | 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 and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
| Brown Hare |
No close season on enclosed land
Dec 11 – Mar 31 on moorland and unenclosed land with a firearm
|
Oct 1 - Jan 31 | Aug 12 - Jan 31 |
| Mountain Hare |
No close season on enclosed land
Dec 11 – Mar 31 on moorland and unenclosed land with a firearm
|
PROTECTED Control under individual license |
Aug 12 - Jan 31 |
| Rabbit |
No close season on enclosed land
Dec 11 – Mar 31 on moorland and unenclosed land with a firearm
|
No close season on enclosed land
Jul 1 – Mar 31 on moorland and unenclosed land with a firearm
|
NO CLOSE SEASON |
Additional restrictions:
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 and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
| Males | Females | Males | Females | Males | Females | |
| Red | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | No Close | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| Fallow | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | No Close | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| Sika | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | No Close | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| Roe | Apr 1 - Oct 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | No Close | Oct 21 - Mar 31 | N/A |
| Chinese Water Deer | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | N/A | N/A |
| Muntjac | NO CLOSE SEASON | 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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