Changes to the Law Affecting Game Licences in England and Wales – effective 1st August 2007:

Game Legislation:

• Remove the requirement to hold a game licence in order to take or kill game
   
• Remove the requirement to hold a local authority licence and an excise licence in order to deal in game
   
• Remove the restriction on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season permitting game to be sold all year round provided that the game was lawfully killed

(Game licences are still required in Scotland)
BASC Scotland and the post office in Dunkeld are offering to issue the licences call 01350 723226 for more information.

• The legislation relating to the shooting and dealing in game ("game" covers hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game and black game) dates back to the 19th Century - the principal Acts being the Game Act 1831 and the Game licences Act 1860.
   
• In addition to removing various requirements and restrictions, the Regulatory Reform Order will introduce a new criminal offence to sell game birds which have been unlawfully killed or taken where the person concerned knew or had reason to believe that they were so killed or taken.  The new offence is necessary to maintain the protection afforded to game birds during the close season whilst allowing the sale of game lawfully taken during the open season to be sold all year round.
   
• Protections for wildlife during close seasons are not linked to the requirement for a game licence and these protections would be retained.  Penalties for poaching game and shooting it outside the relevant open season and trespassing in search of game will be retained.