Shooting Seasons
The majority of game can only be shot during specific times of the years to allow them to breed and/or allow them to successfully migrate.
A comprehensive guide to the shooting seasons is given below.
Game birds
| Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | Oct 1 - Feb 1 | Oct 1 - Jan 31 | Nov 1 – Jan 31 (Cocks only) |
| Grey Partridge | Sep 1 - Feb 1 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | - |
| Red-Legged Partridge | Sep 1 - Feb 1 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Nov 1 – Jan 31 |
| Red Grouse | Aug 12 - Dec 10 | Aug 12 - Nov 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 |
| Black Grouse | Aug 20 - Dec 10 | - | - |
| Ptarmigan | Aug 12 - Dec 10 | - | - |
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- No game may be killed on Sundays or Christmas Day.
- Game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Scotland
- Game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Northern Ireland
- All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day.
- Wild birds may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Wildfowl, Geese and Waders
| Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck and Goose (inland) | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | - |
| Duck and Goose (below high water mark) | Sep 1 - Feb 20 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | - |
| Common Snipe | Aug 12 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 |
| Woodcock | Oct 1 - Jan 31 (Scotland Sep 1 - Jan 31) | Oct 1 - Jan 31 | Nov 1 – Jan 31 |
| Golden Plover | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 |
| Coot and Moorhen | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Protected | - |
| Canada Geese (Countrywide) | - | - | Sep 1 – Oct 15 |
| Canada Geese The counties of Cavan (exclusive of the townlands of Eonish Island, Rinn, Deramfield) and Leitrim (exclusive of the River Shannon) | Oct 16 – Jan 31 | ||
| Greylag Geese (Countrywide) | - | - | Sep 1 – Oct 15 |
| Graylag Geese Lady’s Island Lake, Co Wexford and Gearagh East, Gearagh West in Co Cork only | Oct 16 – Jan 31 | ||
| Woodpigeon | - | - | Nov 1 – Jan 31 |
| Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Jack Snipe, Ruddy Duck | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | ||
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- Sunday shooting of wildfowl is not permitted in the following counties or county boroughs: 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
- Wildfowl may not be shot on Sunday or Christmas Day.
Northern Ireland
- All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day.
- Wild birds may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Ground Game
| Species | England, Wales and Scotland | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Hare | Jan 1 - Dec 31 (Scotland Oct 1 - Jan 31) | Aug 12 - Jan 31 | - |
| Mountain Hare | Aug 1 - Feb 28/29 | - | - |
| Rabbit | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | No close season | - |
| Hares, (excluding the following townlands in Co Wexford: North East Slob, North West Slob, Big Island, Beggerin Island and the Raven). | Sep 26 – Feb 28 | ||
Additional restrictions:
England and Wales
- Ground game can only be killed with firearms on moorland or unenclosed land between 11 December and 31 March.
Northern Ireland
- Ground game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Deer
| Species | England, Wales & Northern Ireland | Scotland | Republic of Ireland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | Females | Males | Females | Males | Females | |
| Red | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 (exclusive of County Kerry) | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| Fallow | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | Nov 1 – Feb 28/29 |
| Sika | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | Nov 1 – Feb 28/29 |
| Roe | Apr 1 - Oct 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Oct 21 - Mar 31 | - | |
| Chinese Water Deer | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | - | - | ||
| Muntjac | No close season | No close season | - | |||
Additional restrictions:
England, Wales and Scotland
- Deer may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Northern Ireland
- Deer may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Wild Boar
- No statutory close season, but culling should not include sows with dependant offspring.
