Hunting seasons · 2026/2027 · Updated
Hunting seasons in United Kingdom
The open seasons for every game species in United Kingdom, species by species and class by class. Tap a species in the HunTracker app to get a notification when its season opens or closes.
Seasons differ within United Kingdom. The whole-country dates are the ones open everywhere in it; each part's own dates follow.
Whole country
Big game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Stag1 | – |
| Hind1 | – | |
| Calf1 | – | |
| Japanese sika deer | Stag1 | – |
| Hind1 | – | |
| Calf1 | – | |
| Fallow deer | Buck1 | – |
| Doe1 | – | |
| Calf1 | – | |
| Roe deer | Buck1 | – |
| Doe1 | – | |
| Fawn1 | – | |
| Chinese water deer | Both sexes7 | – |
| Reeves's muntjac | Both sexes7 | All year |
Small game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red grouse | Both sexes1 | – |
| Rock ptarmigan | Both sexes8 | – |
| Black grouse | Both sexes1 | – |
| Grey partridge | Both sexes1 | – |
| Red-legged partridge | Both sexes1 | – |
| Common pheasant | Both sexes1 | – |
| Mallard | Both sexes12 | – |
| Eurasian teal | Both sexes12 | – |
| Eurasian wigeon | Both sexes12 | – |
| Gadwall | Both sexes12 | – |
| Northern pintail | Both sexes12 | – |
| Northern shoveler | Both sexes12 | – |
| Common pochard | Both sexes12 | – |
| Tufted duck | Both sexes12 | – |
| Common goldeneye | Both sexes12 | – |
| Canada goose | Both sexes12 | – |
| Greylag goose | Both sexes12 | – |
| Pink-footed goose | Both sexes12 | – |
| Greater scaup | Both sexes9 | – |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Both sexes210 | – |
| Eurasian coot | Both sexes11 | – |
| Common moorhen | Both sexes11 | – |
| European golden plover | Both sexes1 | – |
| Common snipe | Both sexes1 | – |
| Jack snipe | Both sexes9 | – |
| Eurasian woodcock | Both sexes1 | – |
| European hare | Both sexes1 | – |
| Mountain hare | Both sexes912 | – |
| European rabbit | Both sexes | All year |
| Common wood pigeon | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western capercaillie | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Predators and other game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Both sexes | All year |
| Carrion crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Eurasian magpie | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Rook | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western jackdaw | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Hooded crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| European badger | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian otter | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| European wildcat | Both sexes4 | No open season |
England
Big game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Japanese sika deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Fallow deer | Buck | – |
| Doe | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Roe deer | Buck | – |
| Doe | – | |
| Fawn | – | |
| Chinese water deer | Both sexes | – |
| Reeves's muntjac | Both sexes | All year |
Small game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red grouse | Both sexes | – |
| Black grouse | Both sexes6 | – |
| Grey partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Red-legged partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Common pheasant | Both sexes | – |
| Mallard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian teal | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian wigeon | Both sexes2 | – |
| Gadwall | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern pintail | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern shoveler | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common pochard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Tufted duck | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common goldeneye | Both sexes2 | – |
| Canada goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greylag goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Pink-footed goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian coot | Both sexes | – |
| Common moorhen | Both sexes | – |
| European golden plover | Both sexes | – |
| Common snipe | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian woodcock | Both sexes | – |
| European hare | Both sexes | All year |
| European rabbit | Both sexes | All year |
| Common wood pigeon | Both sexes3 | No open season |
Predators and other game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Both sexes | All year |
| Carrion crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Eurasian magpie | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Rook | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western jackdaw | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| European badger | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian otter | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Northern Ireland
Big game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Japanese sika deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Fallow deer | Buck | – |
| Doe | – | |
| Calf | – |
Small game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red grouse | Both sexes | – |
| Grey partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Red-legged partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Common pheasant | Both sexes | – |
| Mallard | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian teal | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian wigeon | Both sexes | – |
| Gadwall | Both sexes | – |
| Northern pintail | Both sexes | – |
| Northern shoveler | Both sexes | – |
| Common pochard | Both sexes | – |
| Tufted duck | Both sexes | – |
| Common goldeneye | Both sexes | – |
| Greater scaup | Both sexes | – |
| Canada goose | Both sexes | – |
| Greylag goose | Both sexes | – |
| Pink-footed goose | Both sexes | – |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| European golden plover | Both sexes | – |
| Common snipe | Both sexes | – |
| Jack snipe | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian woodcock | Both sexes | – |
| European hare | Both sexes | – |
| Mountain hare | Both sexes12 | – |
| European rabbit | Both sexes | All year |
| Common wood pigeon | Both sexes3 | No open season |
Predators and other game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Both sexes | All year |
| Carrion crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Eurasian magpie | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Rook | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western jackdaw | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Hooded crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| European badger | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian otter | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Scotland
Big game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Stag5 | All year |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Japanese sika deer | Stag5 | All year |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Fallow deer | Buck5 | All year |
| Doe | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Roe deer | Buck5 | All year |
| Doe | – | |
| Fawn | – |
Small game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red grouse | Both sexes | – |
| Rock ptarmigan | Both sexes | – |
| Black grouse | Both sexes | – |
| Grey partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Red-legged partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Common pheasant | Both sexes | – |
| Mallard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian teal | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian wigeon | Both sexes2 | – |
| Gadwall | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern pintail | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern shoveler | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common pochard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Tufted duck | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common goldeneye | Both sexes2 | – |
| Canada goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greylag goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Pink-footed goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian coot | Both sexes | – |
| Common moorhen | Both sexes | – |
| European golden plover | Both sexes | – |
| Common snipe | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian woodcock | Both sexes | – |
| European hare | Both sexes | – |
| European rabbit | Both sexes | All year |
| Common wood pigeon | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Mountain hare | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Western capercaillie | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Predators and other game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Both sexes | All year |
| Carrion crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Eurasian magpie | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Rook | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western jackdaw | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Hooded crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| European badger | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian otter | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| European wildcat | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Wales
Big game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Japanese sika deer | Stag | – |
| Hind | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Fallow deer | Buck | – |
| Doe | – | |
| Calf | – | |
| Roe deer | Buck | – |
| Doe | – | |
| Fawn | – | |
| Chinese water deer | Both sexes | – |
| Reeves's muntjac | Both sexes | All year |
Small game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red grouse | Both sexes | – |
| Black grouse | Both sexes6 | – |
| Grey partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Red-legged partridge | Both sexes | – |
| Common pheasant | Both sexes | – |
| Mallard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian teal | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian wigeon | Both sexes2 | – |
| Gadwall | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern pintail | Both sexes2 | – |
| Northern shoveler | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common pochard | Both sexes2 | – |
| Tufted duck | Both sexes2 | – |
| Common goldeneye | Both sexes2 | – |
| Canada goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greylag goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Pink-footed goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Both sexes2 | – |
| Eurasian coot | Both sexes | – |
| Common moorhen | Both sexes | – |
| European golden plover | Both sexes | – |
| Common snipe | Both sexes | – |
| Eurasian woodcock | Both sexes | – |
| European hare | Both sexes | All year |
| European rabbit | Both sexes | All year |
| Common wood pigeon | Both sexes3 | No open season |
Predators and other game
| Species | Sex / age class | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Red fox | Both sexes | All year |
| Carrion crow | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Eurasian magpie | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Rook | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| Western jackdaw | Both sexes3 | No open season |
| European badger | Both sexes4 | No open season |
| Eurasian otter | Both sexes4 | No open season |
Openings and closings by month
January
- Closes
- Canada goose ·
- Common goldeneye ·
- Common moorhen ·
- Common pheasant ·
- Common pochard ·
- Common snipe ·
- Eurasian coot ·
- Eurasian teal ·
- Eurasian wigeon ·
- Eurasian woodcock ·
- European golden plover ·
- European hare ·
- Gadwall ·
- Greater scaup ·
- Greater white-fronted goose ·
- Grey partridge ·
- Greylag goose ·
- Jack snipe ·
- Mallard ·
- Mountain hare ·
- Northern pintail ·
- Northern shoveler ·
- Pink-footed goose ·
- Red-legged partridge ·
- Tufted duck ·
February
- Closes
- Fallow deer (Doe, Calf) ·
- Japanese sika deer (Hind, Calf) ·
- Red deer (Hind, Calf) ·
March
- Closes
- Chinese water deer ·
- Roe deer (Doe, Fawn) ·
April
- Opens
- Roe deer (Buck) ·
- Closes
- Fallow deer (Buck) ·
- Japanese sika deer (Stag) ·
- Red deer (Stag) ·
August
- Opens
- Fallow deer (Buck) ·
- Japanese sika deer (Stag) ·
- Red deer (Stag) ·
- Mountain hare ·
- Red grouse ·
- Rock ptarmigan ·
September
- Opens
- Black grouse ·
- Canada goose ·
- Common goldeneye ·
- Common moorhen ·
- Common pochard ·
- Common snipe ·
- Eurasian coot ·
- Eurasian teal ·
- Eurasian wigeon ·
- European golden plover ·
- Gadwall ·
- Greater scaup ·
- Greater white-fronted goose ·
- Grey partridge ·
- Greylag goose ·
- Jack snipe ·
- Mallard ·
- Northern pintail ·
- Northern shoveler ·
- Pink-footed goose ·
- Red-legged partridge ·
- Tufted duck ·
October
- Opens
- Closes
- Roe deer (Buck) ·
November
- Opens
- Chinese water deer ·
- Fallow deer (Doe, Calf) ·
- Japanese sika deer (Hind, Calf) ·
- Red deer (Hind, Calf) ·
- Roe deer (Doe, Fawn) ·
- Closes
December
- Closes
Notes
- Dates open in every UK nation where the species is quarry. A nation may allow a longer season.
- Inland; below the high-water mark (foreshore) until 20 February.
- No open season: may only be shot under a general licence, for the purposes it lists (such as preventing crop damage).
- Protected species; no open season.
- No close season for male deer in Scotland since October 2023.
- From 1 September in Somerset, Devon and the New Forest.
- England and Wales only.
- Scotland only.
- Northern Ireland only.
- Protected in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Not quarry in Northern Ireland.
- The Irish hare, a mountain hare subspecies.
- Source
- BASC / legislation.gov.uk
- Legal basis
- Deer Act 1991; Game Act 1831; Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Deer (Close Seasons) (Scotland) Order 1984, as amended 2023; Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
- Published
Season information in the app is for guidance only. Always check current legislation and local rules before you hunt.
Every season in your pocket
HunTracker opens on the country you are in, shows what is open today, and tells you when a season opens or closes.