Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

Game and wild birds

These apply in England Scotland and Wales (all dates are inclusive)

Blackgame*                                     20th August - 10th December

Red Grouse*                                    12th August - 10th December

Hare*                                                 No close season bt may not be sold March-July

Partridge*                                         1st September - 1st February

Pheasant*                                        1st October - 1st February

Ptarmigan*                                       12th August - 10th December

Common Snipe                               12th August - 31st January

Woodcock (England and Wales)   1st October - 31st January

Woodcock (Scotland)                      1st September - 31st January

Wild geese and duck (below the High Watermark of ordinary Spring Tides)

                                                            1st September - 20th February

Elsewhere                                         1st September - 31st January

Golden Plover                                   1st September - 31st January

* Designated as Game under the Game Act 1831. NB Shooting is restricted on Sundays and Christmas Day.

Deer                                                    England & Wales                                   Scotland

Red and Sika Stags                      1st August - 30th April                           1st July - 20th October

Red and Sika Hinds                      1st November - 28/ 29th February       21st October - 15th February  

Red and Sika hybrids are as above

Fallow Bucks                                  1st August - 30th April                           1st August - 30th April

Fallow Does                                   1st November - 28/ 29th February       21st October - 15th February

Roe Bucks                                      1st April - 30th October                         1st April - 20th October

Roe Does                                       1st November - 28/ 29th February       21st October - 31st March

Muntjac                                             No statutory Close Season

Chinese Water Deer                      No statutory Close Season