Types of Shooting Quarry
TYPES OF SHOOTING QUARRY
A Guide to the Species of Shooting Quarry found in the UK
In the Uk there are a number of game species that can legally be shot in a specified season. Shooting these species outside of their season is illegal as the 'close' season allows for species to breed and allows their population to grow to a size which will not be negatively impacted during the shooting season.
GAME BIRDS AND WATERFOWL
| 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 |
| 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 | August 12 - Dec 10 | Aug 12 - Nov 30 | Aug 25 - Oct 31 |
| Black Grouse |
Aug 20 - Dec 10 (Somerset and Devon) Sep 1 - Dec 10 (New Forest) |
Aug 20 - Dec 10 | -- | -- |
| Ptarmigan | -- | Aug 12 - Dec 10 | -- | -- |
| Duck and Goose | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 | Sep 1 - Jan 31 |
Duck Sep 1 - Jan 31 Goose - July 1 - Mar 31 |
| 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 |
Duck Species in the UK
Duck species that can be shot in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland include;
Gadwall, Golden Eye, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck and Wigeon. In N.I Ruddy Duck and Scaup can also be taken.
Geese Species in the UK
Geese species that can be shot in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are;
Canada Goose, Greylag and Pink Footed Goose. In England and Wales only, White Fronted Geese can also be taken.
Ground Game Species and Seasons
| Species | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Isle of Man |
| Brown Hare | Jan 1 - Dec 31 Moorland & unenclosed land subject to close season | Oct 1 - Jan 31 | Aug 12 - Jan 31 | Oct 1 - Jan 31 |
| Mountain Hare | -- | Aug 1 - Feb 28/ 29 | -- | -- |
| Rabbit | Jan 1 - December 31 Moorland & unenclosed land subject to close season | Jan 1 - Dec 31 Moorland & unenclosed land subject to close season | No close season | No close season |
UK Open Season For Deer
| Species | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
| RED DEER | |||
| Stags | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 |
| Hinds | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| SIKA | |||
| Stags | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 |
| Hinds | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| RED/ SIKA HYBRIDS | |||
| Stags | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Jul 1 - Oct 20 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 |
| Hinds | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Oct 21 - Feb 15 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| FALLOW | |||
| Bucks | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 | Aug 1 - Apr 30 |
| Does | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Oct 1 - Feb 15 | Nov 1 - Mar 31 |
| CHINESE WATERDEER | |||
| Bucks | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | -- | -- |
| Does | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | -- | -- |
| ROE | |||
| Bucks | Apr 1 - Oct 31 | Apr 1 - Oct 20 | -- |
| Does | Nov 1 - Mar 31 | Oct 21 - Mar 31 | -- |