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Game Seasons

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Game Seasons

Detailed 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

PheasantOct 1 - Feb 1 Oct 1 - Jan 31
PartridgeSept 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 SnipeAug 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

 StagsAug 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