Tail docking in Scotland
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There are a number of gamebirds, waterfowl (ducks, geese and waders) and other bird species, as well as mammals, which can be shot legally. For many there is a close season when it is illegal to shoot them, and this helps to ensure that they are able to breed successfully and move between breeding and wintering grounds. The bird quarry species and their open seasons in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are shown below.
Game licences to kill or take game are not required in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, in Scotland, a venison dealer’s licence is still required for those wishing to deal in venison although deer stalkers can sell their venison direct to a venison dealer without the need for a licence.
On the Isle of Man a game licence is required in order to shoot game and is available from the Treasury Office. Game is defined as pheasant, partridge, grouse or moor game and hare (brown or common). A game dealer’s licence is also required for those wishing to deal in game.
There is no requirement for a game licence on Guernsey but you must hold an appropriate firearm or shotgun certificate.
In Jersey there are no game seasons and therefore a game licence is not required.
England and Wales
No game may be killed or taken in any county on Sunday or Christmas Day. Game for the purposes of this section means pheasant, partridge, red grouse, black grouse and hare.
Orders prohibiting the shooting of wildfowl on Sundays made under sections 2 and 13 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954 still in existence are in the following counties (or parts of counties in existence before the 1974 local authority 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 Christmas Day but it is not customary to do so. The wildfowl species listed may not be shot on Sunday or Christmas Day.
Northern Ireland
It is an offence to kill any wild bird, gamebird or hare on a Sunday. Although there is no restriction on killing any wild bird, gamebird or hare on Christmas Day, provided it does not fall on a Sunday, it is not customary to do so. There is no prohibition on shooting deer on any day during the open season.
Isle of Man
The killing or taking of game is not permitted on Sunday. There are no restrictions on shooting on Christmas Day unless it falls on a Sunday.
Guernsey
Shooting is not permitted on Sunday or Christmas Day.
Jersey
The use of a firearm to kill any wild bird or animal is not permitted on Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day unless acting under and in accordance with the terms or conditions of a licence.
Night is defined as between one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise (except Jersey – see below).
England, Wales and Scotland
The shooting of game at night is not permitted. Ground game (rabbit and hare – which is subject to a close season in Scotland) may be shot at night by an occupier of land or one other person authorised by the occupier, with the permission of the holder of the shooting rights under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 7, unless the occupier has the exclusive rights.
Northern Ireland
Night shooting of any wild bird, gamebird, hare or deer is prohibited. Foxes and rabbits may be shot (lamped) at night.
Isle of Man
Night shooting of rabbits is permitted by the use of suppressed firearms or sound moderated shot guns, lamps and dogs. Night shooting of any game, bird or vermin is not permitted under the Game Act 1927.
Guernsey
Night shooting is not permitted.
Jersey
The use of a firearm to kill any wild bird or animal is not permitted between sunset and sunrise on any day unless acting under and in accordance with the terms or conditions of a licence.
The following is an aide memoire on the prohibited methods for killing or taking wildlife, based on the combined legislation from all the Acts listed here.
***THE ONUS IS ON THE PERSON CARRYING OUT THE ACTION TO ENSURE THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION***
(click on the links below to connect to the relevant Act).
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in 2011), Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended in 2011) & the Isle of Man Wildlife Act 1990 and Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 the following are prohibited methods of killing or taking wildlife:
All wild birds
It is illegal to use:
Any wild mammal (animals (NI))
It is illegal to use;
Mammals/animals (with special protection)
(For the purposes of the following section mammals/animals means: schedule 6 mammals Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in 2011), schedule 6 wild animals Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended in 2011) & schedule 6 mammals Wildlife Act 1990 (Isle of Man) and schedule 3 mammals Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000)
It is illegal to use;
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in 2011),
Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended in 2011)
Game for the purposes of this section means pheasant, partridge, red grouse, black grouse and hare.
England and Wales
The sale of game (except hare *) is permitted year-round provided the game was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species.
*Under the Hares Preservation Act 1892 in England and Wales it is illegal to sell or expose for sale, hares or leverets between 1 March and 31 July inclusive. This does not apply to imported hares.
Scotland
The sale of game including hare is permitted year-round provided the game was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species.
Northern Ireland
Game can be sold all year provided it was obtained legally during the season relevant to the species.
Isle of Man
It is illegal to sell or offer for sale any game after ten days from the end of the open seasons. Additionally it is illegal to have possession or control of any game 14 days after the end of the respective season unless it was obtained legally and has been frozen or is lawfully imported dead game. Rabbits can be sold all year.
Guernsey
During the close season (1 March – 30 September inclusive) it is illegal to buy or sell any game originating in Guernsey.
Jersey
It is illegal to sell protected wild birds which include pheasants. Rabbits can be sold at any time.
England and Wales
The sale of the following dead birds is permitted from 1 September to 28 February inclusive.
| Mallard | Pintail | Pochard |
| Teal | Tufted duck | Shoveler |
| Common snipe | Wigeon | Coot |
| Golden plover | Woodcock | Woodpigeon can be sold dead at any time |
Scotland
All above birds may be sold dead at all times.
Northern Ireland
Only woodpigeon may be sold dead (at all times).
Isle of Man
The following birds may be sold dead from 1 September to 28 February inclusive.
| Common snipe | Mallard | Teal |
| Wigeon | Woodcock |
Under the Wildlife Act 1990 the following birds only may be killed under a Wildlife Act licence and sold dead at all times. See the DAFF website for the terms and conditions of general licences here
| Woodpigeon | Feral pigeon |
Jersey
| Carrion Crow | Feral pigeon |
| Magpie | Woodpigeon |
The following birds are unprotected and therefore can be sold at any time under Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000
Guernsey
The close season for game (rabbit only) runs from Mar 1 until the Sep 30 inclusive. Owners/occupiers of land can kill game on their land at any time of year. Additionally, any person who has, in their possession, written permission from the owner/occupier of land may hunt or kill rabbits on that land at any time of year (Island of Guernsey, Ordinance of the States XXXII 1994 – The Protection of Game Ordinance 1994).
The open season for birds (pheasant, partridge, snipe, woodcock and collared dove) runs from Oct 1 to Jan 31.
Woodpigeon may be taken at any time under The Protection of Wild Birds Ordinance 1949.
Jersey
In Jersey there are no game seasons and gamebirds can only be shot under licence for the protection of agriculture. All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie, feral pigeon and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence. However the Minister for Planning and Environment may license any person to do anything which would otherwise constitute an offence against wildlife (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) as amended).
In Jersey it is illegal to release or allow to escape into the wild any pheasant, red-legged partridge or grey partridge except under licence (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 15(1)(b) and (3)).
As wild boar can have a prolonged breeding season, at the moment there is no statutory close season. Shooting is the recommended method of control but best practice recommends avoiding killing sows with dependent young.
The latest best practice guides on wild boar can be downloaded by clicking here.
| Species | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Isle of Man |
| Pheasant | Oct 1 – Feb 1 | Oct 1 – Feb 1 | Oct 1 – Jan 31 | Oct 1 – Jan 31 |
| Grey Partridge | Sep 1 – Feb 1 | Sep 1 – Feb 1 | Sep 1- Jan 31 | Protected (ban in force) |
| Red-legged Partridge | Sep 1 – Feb 1 | Sep 1 – Feb 1 | Sep 1- Jan 31 | Sep 13 – Jan 31 |
| Red Grouse | Aug 12 – Dec 10 | Aug 12 – Dec 10 | Aug 12 – Nov 30 | Aug 25 – Oct 31 * |
| Black Grouse | Aug 20 – Dec 10 (Somerset, Devon and New Forest: Sep 1 – Dec 10) | Aug 20 – Dec 10 | — | — |
| Ptarmigan | — | Aug 12 – Dec 10 | — | — |
| Duck & Goose inland | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 – DucksJuly 1 – Mar 31 – Geese** |
| Duck & Goose below HWM (see below) | Sep 1 – Feb 20 | Sep 1 – Feb 20 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31- Ducks Jul 1 – Mar 31 – Geese ** |
| Common Snipe | Aug 12 – Jan 31 | Aug 12 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 |
| Jack Snipe | Protected | Protected | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Protected |
| Woodcock | Oct 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Oct 1 – Jan 31 | Oct 1 – Jan 31 |
| Golden Plover | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Protected |
| Coot/Moorhen | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Protected | Protected |
| Species | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Isle of Man |
| Brown Hare | Jan 1 – Dec 31 No close season however certain restrictions can apply, see below. | Open season Oct 1 – Jan 31 | Aug 12 – Jan 31* | Brown or common hare Oct 1 – Jan 31 |
| Mountain Hare | Protected | |||
| Rabbit | Jan 1 – Dec 31 No close season however certain restrictions can apply, see below. | Jan 1 – Dec 31 No close season however certain restrictions can apply, see below. | Rabbit is classed as a pest and therefore not subject to a close season. | No close season. |
* The Special Protection Order previously issued to give Irish hare additional protection is no longer in place and therefore the Irish Hare is now subject to an open season as above.
In England and Wales under the Ground Game Act 1880 occupiers of land have an inalienable right to kill and take ground game concurrent with any other person holding such a right. Occupiers or a person authorised by them, acting under the authority of this act may only kill or take ground game on moorland between 1 September and 31 March inclusive. Further under Section 1 (3) and Ground Game Amendment Act 1906 Section 2) Firearms may only be used for such purposes between 11 December and 31 March.
In Scotland, the occupier of the land or persons authorised by them may kill rabbit throughout the year on moorland and unenclosed land (not being arable) by all legal means but only by means of firearms during the period from 1 July to 31 March inclusive (Section 1 (3) of the Ground Game Act 1880 as modified by the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948). Hares are subject to a close season (Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011) (see above).
Moorland and unenclosed land does not include arable land or detached portions of land less than 25 acres which adjoins arable land.
| Species and Sex | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
| Red | |||
| Stags | Aug 1st – April 30th | Year-round | Aug 1st – April 30th |
| Hinds | Nov 1st – Mar 31 | Oct 21st – Feb 15th | Nov 1st – Mar 31 |
| Sika | |||
| Stags | Aug 1st – April 30th | Year-round* | Aug 1st – April 30th |
| Hinds | Nov 1st – Mar 31st | Oct 21st – Feb 15th | Nov 1st – Mar 31st |
| Red/Sika hybrids | |||
| Stags | Aug 1st – April 30th | Year-round* | Aug 1st – April 30th |
| Hinds | Nov 1st – Mar 31st | Oct 21st – Feb 15th | Nov 1st – Mar 31st |
| Fallow | |||
| Bucks | Aug 1st – April 30th | Year-round* | Aug 1st – April 30th |
| Does | Nov 1st – Mar 31st | Oct 21st – Feb 15th | Nov 1st – Mar 31st |
| Roe | |||
| Bucks | April 1st – Oct 31st | Year-round* | — |
| Does | Nov 1st – Mar 31st | Oct 21st – March 31st | — |
| Chinese Water deer | |||
| Bucks | Nov 1st – Mar 31st | — | — |
| Does | Nov 1st– Mar 31st | — | — |
| Muntjac | |||
| 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. | |||
The latest best practice guides on deer can be downloaded free of charge from the Deer Initiative.
*There is currently no statutory close season for male deer of any species in Scotland.
(For information on the use of non-lead shot for waterfowl please see specific technical information from BASC Research Team or Country Offices)
England, Wales and Scotland
The species that can be shot during their open season are (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981):
| Duck | ||||
| Gadwall | Goldeneye | Mallard | Pintail | Pochard |
| Shoveler | Teal | Tufted Duck | Wigeon | |
| Goose | ||||
| Canada* | Greylag | Pink-footed | European White-fronted** | |
| Wader | ||||
| Golden Plover* | Common Snipe | Woodcock | ||
| Other | ||||
| Coot | Moorhen | |||
*Canada geese
This species can be shot throughout the year (i.e. during the close season) in England, Wales and Scotland only under the terms and conditions of specific general licences. Click here to find out more.
**White-fronted geese
There are two races of white-fronted goose. The European White-fronted geese can only be shot in England and Wales. The Greenland White-fronted Goose cannot be shot anywhere in the UK as it has full statutory protection in each home country.
Northern Ireland
The species that can be shot during their open season (Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985) are:
| Duck | |||
| Gadwall | Goldeneye | Mallard | Pintail |
| Pochard | Ruddy Duck | Scaup | Shoveler |
| Teal | Tufted Duck | Wigeon | |
| Goose | |||
| Canada | Greylag | Pink-footed | |
| Wader | |||
| Common snipe | Jack snipe | Golden plover | Woodcock |
Isle of Man
The following species can be shot during the open season (Wildlife Act 1990)
| Duck | ||
| Mallard | Teal | Wigeon |
| Goose* | ||
| Canada | Greylag | |
| Wader | ||
| Common snipe | Woodcock | |
* The geese listed can only be shot during the open season as specified on the general licence. See the DAFF website for the terms and conditions of general licences here
Guernsey
The shooting of ducks and geese is not permitted.
Jersey
The shooting of ducks and geese is not permitted
The following mammals can be controlled by legally-approved methods all year in England, Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland
| Brown rat | Feral cat | Fox | Grey squirrel | Mice * |
| Mink | Rabbit | Stoat | Weasel (not Northern Ireland) |
* All species except common/hazel dormouse
Isle of Man
The following are defined as ‘vermin’ under the Game Act 1882 and can be controlled all year.
| (Wild) Cat | Blue/mountain hare | Rat | Stoat |
Guernsey
Only the following mammals may be killed by approved methods all year
| Feral cat | Rabbit | Rat |
Jersey
Licences may be granted by the Minister under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) and (2) which would otherwise constitute an offence for the purposes of:
Pest birds, such as woodpigeons and corvids, can be controlled all year round for defined purposes (such as protection of crops or wildlife) subject to the terms and conditions of general licences. No one hasto apply for a general licence. The purposes, species of birds and terms and conditions may be different in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. General licences typically are renewed once a year and can change. For that reason BASC maintains an up-to-date guide to general licences on its website.
Click here for information on General Licences
Guernsey
All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence. Any gull which is found within the boundary of the States Airport or any refuse tip (either in flight or landed) may be lawfully controlled under the authority of the States Board of Administration.
Jersey
All wild birds are protected with the exception of carrion crow, magpie, feral pigeon and woodpigeon which may be shot under licence. However licences may be granted by the Minister under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 Article 16(1) and (2) which would otherwise constitute an offence for the purposes of:
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