Deer Seasons

Five deer species are protected by close seasons, related to the breeding cycle. The Muntjac has no specified close season because of their ability to breed at any time of year. Chinese water deer do have a breeding season, but the sexes are very hard to tell apart. BASC recommend that Muntjac females are not shot unless obviously heavily pregnant or immature with no fawn at heel to avoid orphaning dependent young. Shooting is permitted between the following dates:

Species/sex

England and Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Red

      

Stag

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Jul 1 - Oct 20

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Hind

Nov 1 - Mar 31

Oct 21 - Feb 15

Nov 1 - March 31

Fallow

      

Buck

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Doe

Nov 1 - Mar 31

Oct 21 - Feb 15

Nov 1 - March 31

Sika

      

Stag

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Jul 1 - Oct 20

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Hind

Nov 1 - Mar 31

Oct 21 - Feb 15

Nov 1 -  March 31

Roe

      

Buck

Apr 1 - Oct 31

Apr 1 – Oct 20

--

Doe

Nov 1 – Mar 31

Oct 21 - Mar 31

--

Red/sika hybrids

     

Stag

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Jul 1 - Oct 20

Aug 1 - Apr 30

Hind

Nov 1 - Mar 31

Oct 21 - Feb 15

Nov 1 -  March 31

Chinese water deer

(only found in England)

    

Buck

Nov 1 - Mar 31

--

--

Doe

Nov 1 - Mar 31

--

--

Muntjac **

(only found in England and Wales)

    
 

 All year round

    

 ** There is no statutory close season for this species. It is recommended that when culling female muntjac, immature or heavily pregnant does are selected to avoid leaving dependent young.


 

 

Join BASC Online

Renew Membership

Weather

Search website form