Game Seasons

 

The following list details game opening and closing dates for all wildfowl and deer in the UK.

 

Game & Wildfowl Start of season End of season
 
Pheasant England, Scotland, Wales 1 October 1 February
Pheasant N. Ireland, cocks only 1 October 31 January
Partridge 1 September 1 February
Grouse England, Scotland, Wales 12 August 10 December
Grouse N. Ireland 12 August 30 November
Common Snipe  England, Scotland, Wales 12 August 31 January
Common Snipe N. Ireland 1 September 31 January
Jack Snipe N. Ireland only 1 September 31 January
Woodcock England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 October 31 January
Woodcock Scotland 1 September 31 January
Duck & Goose Inland - England, Scotland, Wales 1 September 31 January
Duck & Goose Foreshore - England, Scotland, Wales 1 September 20 February
Duck & Goose Inland/Foreshore - N. Ireland 1 September 31 January
Coot 1 September 31 January
Moorhen 1 September 31 January
Golden Plover 1 September 31 January
Curlew N. Ireland only 1 September 31 January
Hare Shooting England, Scotland, Wales 1 August 29 February
Hare Shooting N. Ireland 12 August 31 January
 
Deer
 
Red deer stags England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 August 30 April
Red deer stags Scotland 1 July 20 October
Red deer hinds England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 November 28 February
Red deer hinds Scotland 21 October 15 February
Fallow bucks 1 August 30 April
Fallow does England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 November 28 February
Fallow does Scotland 21 October 15 February
Sika stags England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 August 30 April
Sika stags Scotland 1 July 20 October
Sika hinds England, Wales, N. Ireland 1 November 28 February
Sika hinds Scotland 21 October 15 February
Roe bucks England, Wales 1 April  31 October
Roe bucks Scotland 1 April  20 October
Roe does England, Wales 1 November 28 February
Roe does Scotland 21 October 31 March
Red/Sika hybrid stags Scotland 1 July 20 October
Red/Sika hybrid hinds Scotland 21 October 15 February
Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer The British Deer Society recommends that both sexes for these two species, for which at present there is no statutory close season, should be granted a close season from 1 March to 31 October.