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Posted by B. Bithell on May 02, 2024
Game Shooting Season In The UK
If you are looking for the Game Shooting Season dates and locations for the UK, then look no further!
First of all, something to be aware of. According to the Game Act 1831, any person who shall kill or take any game (including hare, pheasants, partridge, grouse) or use any dogs, gun, net or any other instrument to kill game on a Sunday or Christmas Day will be convicted under the Criminal Law Act 1977.
It is also a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1982 to pursue any game outside of their shooting season. If you are seen shooting game outside of the season, you will be convicted and, as part of your punishment, you will have to pay a sum of money for every head of game killed.
The Game Shooting Season
The table below outlines the Gamebird and Waterfowl shooting season, according to location:
| 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 & Gooseinland | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 – Ducks July 1 – Mar 31 – Geese** |
| Duck & Goosebelow HWM (see below) | Sep 1 – Feb 20 | Sep 1 – Feb 20 | Sep 1 – Jan 31 |
Sep 1 – Jan 31- Ducks
July 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 |
* MHW-Mean high water
You should note too, that there are restrictions on shooting in the Channel Islands. For more information please visit the BASC shooting season website.
Destroying or Injuring Game
The law states that any person found to have used poison or a poisonous ingredient on the ground, where game can usually be seen, will be convicted under the Criminal Justice Act 1982 and will pay a sum of money for every head of game killed.
Related Articles:
Beginners Guide to Game Shooting
Game Shooting in the UK - Pheasant, Partridge and Grouse
Shooting Etiquette and What You Need to Know
Last Modified: 2nd May 2024
(Original 6th June 2017)