Game SeasonsDetailed below are the current game season for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a responsible game shot you should know these dates. (the voice of authority!!!)
Please note no game shooting is allowed on Christmas Day and Sundays.
Species | England, Scotland
and Wales | Northern Ireland
(see note 2) |
| Pheasant | Oct 1 - Feb 1 | Oct 1 - Jan 31 |
| Partridge | Sept 1 - Feb 1 | Sept 1- Jan 31 |
| Grouse | Aug 12 - Dec 10 | Aug 12 - Nov 30 |
| Ptarmigan (only found in Scotland) | Aug 12 - Dec 10 | |
| Blackgame (not currently found in NI) | Aug 20 - Dec 10 | |
| Common Snipe | Aug 12 - Jan 31 | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Jack Snipe | Protected at all times | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Woodcock | Oct 1- Jan 31 | Oct 1 - Jan 31 |
| Woodcock - Scotland | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | |
| Duck & Goose - inland | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Duck & Goose - below HWM of ordinary spring tides | Sept 1 - Feb 20 | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Coot & Moorhen | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | Protected at all times |
| Golden Plover | Sept 1 - Jan 31 | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Curlew | Protected at all times | Sept 1 - Jan 31 |
| Hare* | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | Aug 12 - Jan 31 |
Deer seasons are as follows:
Species | Sex | England, Wales &
Northern Ireland
| Scotland
|
| Red |
| Stags | Aug 1st - April 30th | July 1st - Oct 20th |
| Hinds (E&W)
(NI)
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Nov 1st - Feb 28th
| Oct 21st - Feb 15th |
| Fallow |
| Bucks
| Aug 1st - April 30th
| Aug 1st - April 30th |
| Does (E&W)
(NI)
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Nov 1st - Feb 28th
| Oct 21st - Feb 15th |
| Sika |
| Stags
| Aug 1st - April 30th
| July 1st - Oct 20th |
| Hinds (E&W)
(NI)
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Nov 1st - Feb 28th
| Oct 21st - Feb 15th |
| Roe - Not currently found in Northern Ireland |
| Buck
| April 1st - Oct 31st
| April 1st - Oct 20th |
| Does
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
| Oct 21st - Mar 31st |
| Red/Sika Hybrids |
| Stags
| Aug 1st - April 30th
| July 1st - Oct 20th |
| Hinds (E&W)
(NI)
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Nov 1st - Feb 28th
| Oct 21st - Feb 15th |
| Chinese water Deer (only found in England) |
| Bucks
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
| |
| Does
| Nov 1st - Mar 31st
| |
| Muntjac (see below) (not currently found in NI) |
|
| All year round
| |
| 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.
|
For further detail on game seasons and the sale of game please visit www.basc.org.uk
|
