Quarry shooting season dates

Gamebirds and waterfowl

Species England and Wales* Scotland Northern Ireland**
Pheasant 1 Oct - 1 Feb 1 Oct - 1 Feb 1 Oct - 31 Jan
Grey partridge 1 Sept - 1 Feb 1 Sept - 1 Feb 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Red-legged
partridge
1 Sept - 1 Feb 1 Sept - 1 Feb 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Red grouse 12 Aug - 10 Dec 12 Aug - 10 Dec 12 Aug - 30 Nov
Black grouse 20 Aug - 10 Dec
(Somerset, Devon and New Forest: 1 Sept - 10 Dec)
20 Aug - 10 Dec N/A
Ptarmigan N/A 12 Aug - 10 Dec N/A
Duck and goose
(inland)
1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Duck and goose
(below high water mark)
1 Sept - 20 Feb 1 Sept - 20 Feb 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Common snipe 12 Aug - 31 Jan 12 Aug - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Jack snipe Protected Protected 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Woodcock 1 Oct - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Oct - 31 Jan
Golden plover 1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan
Coot/moorhen 1 Sept - 31 Jan 1 Sept - 31 Jan Protected

* No game may be killed or taken in England on Sunday or Christmas Day.

** No game may be killed or taken in Northern Ireland on Sunday.

Ground game

Species England and Wales* Scotland Northern Ireland**
Brown hare Moorland and unenclosed land: 1 Sept - 31 Mar 1 Oct - 31 Jan 12 Aug - 31 Jan
Mountain hare N/A Protected – control under licence from NatureScot N/A
Rabbit Moorland and unenclosed land: 1 Sept - 31 Mar Moorland and unenclosed land: 1 Jul - 31 Mar No restriction (pest species)

* No game may be killed or taken in England on Sunday or Christmas Day.

** No game may be killed or taken in Northern Ireland on Sunday.

4cb 403f 4-7336-4705-b 201-197569adfebb
Get your certificate - become a GWCT Accredited Game Shot today

Take our online multiple-choice assessment and test your knowledge on shooting and conservation. The test is FREE to take. Get your GWCT Accredited Game Shot certificate today!

Take Free Test >