Quarry Species & Shooting Seasons 

There are a number of gamebirds, waterfowl (ducks, geese and waders) and other bird species, as well as mammals, which can be shot legally. For many there is a close season when it is illegal to shoot them,  and this helps to ensure that they are able to breed successfully and move between breeding and wintering grounds. The bird quarry species and their open seasons in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are shown below.

Gamebird and Waterfowl Open Seasons (dates inclusive) 

HWM – High water mark:

England and Wales: The area of sea shore which is more often than not covered by the flux and reflux of the four ordinary tides occurring midway between springs and neaps.

Scotland: Area between high and low water marks of ordinary spring tides

Northern Ireland: The limit of where the living seaweed is attached to the stones of the foreshore.

* Currently a voluntary ban on shooting red grouse is in place.

** Geese can only be shot under licence under the Wildlife Act 1990.  See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences www.gov.im/daff 

Shooting in the Channel Islands

Guernsey

1. The close season for game (rabbit only) runs from Mar 1 until the Sep 30 inclusive.  Owners/occupiers of land can kill game on their land at any time of year.  Additionally, any person who has, in their possession, written permission from the owner/occupier of land may hunt or kill rabbits on that land at any time of year. (Island of Guernsey, Ordinance of the States XXXII 1994 – The Protection of Game Ordinance 1994).

2. The open season for birds (pheasant, partridge, snipe, woodcock and collared dove) runs from Oct 1 to Jan 31.

3. Woodpigeon may be taken at any time under The Protection of Wild Birds Ordinance 1949.

Jersey

1. In Jersey there are no game seasons and gamebirds can only be shot under licence for the  protection of agriculture. All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie, feral pigeon and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence.  However the Minister for Planning and Environment may license any person to do anything which would otherwise constitute an offence against wildlife (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) as amended).

2. In Jersey it is illegal to release or allow to escape into the wild any pheasant, red-legged partridge or grey partridge except under licence (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 15(1)(b) and (3)).

Shootable Waterfowl Species

(For information on the use of non-lead shot for waterfowl please see specific technical information from BASC Research Team or Country Offices)

England, Wales & Scotland

The species that can be shot during their open season are (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981):

*Canada geese

  This species can be shot throughout the year (i.e. during the close season) in England and Wales only under the terms and conditions of specific general licences.   Click here to find out more.

**White-fronted geese

There are two races: European white-fronted goose, which can be shot throughout England and Wales, and the Greenland white-fronted goose, wintering mainly on the west coast of Wales. The latter is part of a declining population which is expected shortly to receive full statutory protection but, in the meantime, continues to be subject to a voluntary no-shooting moratorium by BASC-affiliated clubs.

Northern Ireland

The species that can be shot during their open season (Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985) are:

There is no shooting after 31 January.

Isle of Man

The following species can be shot during the open season (Wildlife Act 1990)

The geese listed can only be shot during the open season as specified on the general licence.  See the DAFF website for the terms and conditions of general licences www.gov.im/daff

Guernsey

The shooting of ducks and geese is not permitted.

Jersey

The shooting of ducks and geese is not permitted

Sale of Dead Wild Birds

England, Wales and Scotland

The sale of the following dead birds is permitted from 1 September to 28 February inclusive. 

Northern Ireland

Only woodpigeon may be sold dead (at all times).

Isle of Man

The following birds may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February inclusive.

Under the Wildlife Act 1990 the following birds only may be killed under a Wildlife Act licence and sold dead at all times.  See the DAFF website for the terms and conditions of general licences www.gov.im/daff 

Woodpigeon

Feral pigeon

Jersey

The following birds are unprotected and therefore can be sold at any time under Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000

Carrion Crow	Feral pigeon
Magpie	Woodpigeon

   

Sale of Game

Under the Hares Preservation Act 1892 in England, Wales and Scotland it is illegal to sell or expose for sale, hares or leverets between 1 March and 31 July inclusive.  This does not apply to imported hares. Game for the purposes of this section means; pheasant, partridge, red grouse, black grouse and hare.

England and Wales

The sale of game (except hare – see above) is permitted year-round provided the game was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species. 

Scotland

The sale of game including hare is permitted year-round provided the game was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species. 

Northern Ireland

Game can be sold all year provided it was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species

Isle of Man

It is illegal to sell or offer for sale any game after ten days from the end of the open seasons. Additionally it is illegal to have possession or control of any game 14 days after the end of the respective season unless it was obtained legally and has been frozen or is lawfully imported dead game. Rabbits can be sold all year.

Guernsey

During the close season (1 March – 30 September inclusive) it is illegal to buy or sell any game originating in Guernsey.

Jersey

It is illegal to sell protected wild birds which include pheasants.  Rabbits can be sold at anytime.

Sunday and Christmas Day Shooting

England and Wales

Game for the purposes of this section means pheasant, partridge, red grouse, black grouse and hare.

No game may be killed or taken in any county on Sunday or Christmas Day.

Before the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 orders prohibiting the shooting of wildfowl on Sundays were made under sections 2 and 13 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954. Those still in existence are in the following counties (or parts of counties in existence before the 1974 local authority re-organisation):

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

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

Northern Ireland

All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day, under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order1985.  No deer, rabbit or game may be shot on a Sunday or Christmas Day. 

Isle of Man

The killing or taking of game is not permitted on Sunday.  There are no restrictions on shooting on Christmas Day unless it falls on a Sunday.

Guernsey

Shooting is not permitted on Sunday or Christmas Day.

Jersey

The use of a firearm to kill any wild bird or animal is not permitted on Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day unless acting under and in accordance with the terms or conditions of a licence.

Night Shooting

England, Wales and Scotland

The shooting of game at night (between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise) is not permitted.  Ground game (rabbit and hare) may be shot at night by an occupier of land or one other person authorised by the occupier, with the permission of the holder of the shooting rights under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 7, unless the occupier has the exclusive rights. 

Northern Ireland

The shooting of any game, wild bird and pest bird species is prohibited at night (any time between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise).

Isle of Man

The killing of game is not permitted between 8pm and 7am the following morning.  Night shooting of any game, rabbit, bird or pest is not permitted under the Game Act 1927. Rabbits may only be taken by the use of lamps and dogs at night during September, October and November with permission.

Guernsey

Shooting is not permitted at any time between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. 

Jersey

The use of a firearm to kill any wild bird or animal is not permitted between sunset and sunrise on any day unless acting under and in accordance with the terms or conditions of a licence.

Ground Game Open Seasons (dates inclusive)

*Irish Hare is fully protected under a Special Protection Order which has to be renewed regularly as the order lasts for a period of less than twelve months.

**Moorland and unenclosed land

In England and Wales occupiers or authorised persons may only take and kill ground game on moorland or unenclosed land between 1 September and 31 March inclusive. Firearms may only be used for such purposes between 11 December and 31 March. (Ground Game Act 1880 Section 1 (3) and Ground Game (Amendment) Act 1906 Section 2)

Moorland and unenclosed land does not include arable land or detached portions of land less than 25 acres which adjoins arable land.

In Scotland, Section 1 (3) of the Ground Game Act 1880 has been modified by the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948 as follows:

“The occupier of the land or persons authorised by him may kill ground game, throughout the year, on moorlands and unenclosed lands (not being arable) by all legal means other than by shooting, and by means of firearms over the period from 1 July to 31 March inclusive.”

In England, Wales and Scotland ground game can be killed all year round on land which is not classed as moorland or unenclosed land. 

Bird Pest Species

Pest birds, such woodpigeons and corvids, can be controlled all year round for defined purposes (such as protection of crops or wildlife) subject to the terms and conditions of general licences.  No one has to apply for a general licence. The purposes, species of birds and terms and conditions may be different in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. General licences typically are renewed once a year and can change.  For that reason BASC maintains an up-to-date guide to general licences on its website.

Click here for information on General Licences

Guernsey

All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence.  Any gull which is found within the boundary of the States Airport or any refuse tip (either in flight or landed) may be lawfully controlled under the authority of the States Board of Administration.

Jersey

All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie, feral pigeon and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence.  However licences may be granted by the Minister under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) and (2) which would otherwise constitute an offence for the purposes of:

Preventing damage to crops, livestock, foodstuff for livestock, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or other forms of property ,

Public health or public or air safety,

Prevention of the spread of disease

Mammalian pest species

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

* All species except common/hazel dormouse

Isle of Man

The following are defined as ‘vermin’ under the Game Act 1882 and can be controlled all year.

Guernsey

Only the following mammals may be killed by approved methods all year

Feral cat

Rabbit

Rat

Jersey

Licences may be granted by the Minister under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) and (2) which would otherwise constitute an offence for the purposes of:

  Preventing damage to crops, livestock, foodstuff for livestock, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or other forms of property ,

  Public health or public or air safety,

  Prevention of the spread of disease

Statutory OPEN Seasons for Deer (all dates inclusive)

Species and Sex	England, Wales & Northern Ireland	Scotland
Red
Stags	Aug 1st - April 30th	July 1st - Oct 20th
Hinds	Nov 1st - Mar 31	Oct 21st - Feb 15th
Fallow
Bucks	Aug 1st - April 30th	Aug 1st - April 30th
Does	Nov 1st - Mar 31st	Oct 21st - Feb 15th
Sika
Stags	Aug 1st - April 30th	July 1st - Oct 20th
Hinds	Nov 1st - Mar 31st	Oct 21st - Feb 15th
Roe	(Not normally found in NI)
Bucks	April 1st - Oct 31st	April 1st - Oct 20th
Does	Nov 1st - Mar 31st	Oct 21st - March 31st
Red/Sika hybrids
Stags	Aug 1st - April 30th	July 1st - Oct 20th
Hinds	Nov 1st - Mar 31st	Oct 21st - Feb 15th
Chinese Water deer
Bucks	Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Does	Nov 1st - Mar 31st
Muntjac
Muntjac may be shot all year round. It is recommended that when culling female muntjac, immature or heavily pregnant does are selected to avoid leaving dependent young.

Wild Boar

As wild boar can have a prolonged breeding season, at the moment there is no statutory close season.  Shooting is the recommended method of control but best practice recommends avoiding killing sows with dependent young. 

The latest best practice guides on deer and wild boar can be downloaded free of charge from www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/html/bestpractice.htm

Prohibited Methods of Taking/Killing Wildlife (including game)

It is illegal to use certain methods for killing or taking wildlife. Unless stated the following offences apply to both birds and mammals (mammals for the purposes of this section means: schedule 6 mammals Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 & Isle of Man, Wildlife Act 1990 and schedule 3 mammals Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000) :

- Any automatic or semi-automatic weapon against any schedule 6 mammal or any bird except the Bird Pest Species

- Any automatic or semi-automatic weapon against any mammal or any bird (Jersey). 

Definition:

  "Automatic weapon" and "semi-automatic weapon" means any weapon which is capable of holding more than two rounds in the magazine.

- Any form of artificial lighting, mirror or other dazzling device (except for fox, rabbit or feral pigeon Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) (see BASC Lamping Code of Practice for additional information).

- Use of any mechanically-propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of mammals or birds for the purpose of killing or taking.

- Use of any self-locking snare.

- Use of any bow or crossbow or explosive other than ammunition for a firearm.

Definition:

  “Firearm” includes shotguns

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

- Use of a shotgun where the barrel has an internal diameter at the muzzle of more than 1¾ inches (birds only).

- Use of any device for illuminating a target for all birds except feral pigeons and for all mammals listed on Schedule 6 (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

  “Illuminating device” may include laser-type sighting devices

- Use of any sound recording to act as a decoy - birds only (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

  “Sound recording” is likely to include sounds made by digital or electronic  devices.

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

Amended: August 2011

 

Game Licences

 

 

5 There is no requirement for a game licence on Guernsey but you must hold an appropriate firearm or shotgun certificate.

6 In Jersey there are no game seasons and therefore a game licence is not required.

1 It has not been a requirement to hold a game licence to kill or deal in game in England and Wales since 1 August 2007. 

2 Game licences and game dealers licences have been abolished in Scotland with effect from 7 April 2011 when the new Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill was passed. A venison dealers licence is still required in Scotland.

3 With effect from 13 June 2011 the requirement to have a licence to kill game or deal in game has been abolished in Northern Ireland. This came into effect with the passing of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011.

4 On the Isle of Man a game licence is required in order to shoot game and is available from the Treasury Office.  Game is defined as pheasant, partridge, grouse or moor game and brown/common hare.