Shooting Seasons & Quarry Species

Quarry

There are a number of birds, wildfowl (ducks and geese) and mammals 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 young are able to grow. The species and seasons for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are shown below.

Game & Wildfowl - Open Seasons (dates inclusive) 

* Hares cannot be sold from Mar 1 to July 31.  If the land you shoot hares on is classed as moorland or unenclosed land and your permission on that land is through the landowner or occupier then a close season and other restrictions may legally apply on that land. Contact BASC for more information.

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.

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 during their open season are:

Gadwall	Goldeneye	Pintail	Pochard
Shoveler	Wigeon	Tufted Duck	Mallard
Teal	Canada	Greylag	Pink-footed

White-fronted geese can be shot in England and Wales only.

Canada geese can also be shot all year round in England only under the terms of the general licences. Click here to find out more.

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 geese species that can be shot are:

Gadwall	Goldeneye	Pintail	Pochard
Scaup	Shoveler	Wigeon	Tufted Duck
Mallard Canada	Teal	Greylag	Pink-footed

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).

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

The Sale of Dead Wild Birds

In England, Wales and Scotland the sale of the followingbirds is allowed from September 1st - February 28th. 

Shoveler	Pochard	Coot
Tufted Duck	Mallard	Teal	Pintail
Golden Plover	Woodcock	Common Snipe	Wigeon

In Northern Ireland the sale of dead wild birds is prohibited although the sale of the following species is allowed at all time:

Feral Pigeon

Woodpigeon

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 are renewed annually in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

To see detailed information on the general licences please click here

Mammals Recognised as Pests

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

Fox	Brown Rat	Mice*	Rabbit	Grey Squirrel
Mink	Weasel	Stoat	Feral Cat

* All species except Dormice

Sunday and Christmas Day Shooting

England & Wales:

No game (including hare) may be shot in any county on any Sunday or on Christmas day.

Before the passing of the wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Orders prohibiting the shooting of wildfowl on Sundays could be made under the provisions of sections 2 and 13 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954. Although Sunday Orders can still be made under Section 2 (3), none have been made. However, some Sunday Orders made prior to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 have not been repealed and are still in existence. They have the effect of making it illegal to shoot wildfowl on a Sunday in the following counties (or parts of counties in existence before the 1974 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 on Christmas Day although it is not customary to do so. Wildfowl may not be shot on Sundays or on Christmas Day.

Northern Ireland:

All wild birds in Northern Ireland are protected on Sundays or on Christmas Day, under the Wildlife Order NI.

Amended: October 2007