Shooting related information
If you are new to shooting, you can have a look below to gain a better understanding of game shooting seasons and information pertinent to shotgun cartridges.
Open seasons
Shooting seasons
Grouse- August 12 – December 10
Ptarmigan (Scotland)- August 12 – December 10
Snipe- August 12 – January 31
Black Game- August 20 – December 10
Partridge- September 1 – February 1
Wild Duck and Geese (In or over areas below high water mark of ordinary spring tides) – September 1 – February 20
Wild Duck and Geese (Elsewhere)- September 1 – January 31
Woodcock (Scotland)- September 1 – January 31
Pheasant- October 1 – February 1
Capercaillie- October 1 – January 31
Open seasons
Shooting seasons
Grouse- August 12 – December 10
Ptarmigan (Scotland)- August 12 – December 10
Snipe- August 12 – January 31
Black Game- August 20 – December 10
Partridge- September 1 – February 1
Wild Duck and Geese (In or over areas below high water mark of ordinary spring tides) – September 1 – February 20
Wild Duck and Geese (Elsewhere)- September 1 – January 31
Woodcock (Scotland)- September 1 – January 31
Pheasant- October 1 – February 1
Capercaillie- October 1 – January 31
Closed seasons for deer
Red
Stags- October 21 – June 30 (Scotland), May 1 – July 31(England/Wales)
Hinds- February 16 – October 20 (Scotland), March 1 – October 31 (England/Wales)
Roe
Buck- October 21 – April 30 (Scotland)
Doe- March 1 – October 20( Scotland) March 1 – October 31 (England/Wales)
Fallow
Buck- May 1 – July 31(Scotland) May 1 – July 31(England/Wales)
Doe February 16 – October 20 (Scotland) March 1 – October 31(England/Wales)
Sika
Stags- May 1 – July 31(Scotland), May 1 – July 31(England/Wales)
Hinds- February 16 – October 20(Scotland), March 1 – October 31(England/Wales)
A father’s advice
If a sportsman true you’d be, then listen carefully to me.
Never, never let your gun, pointed be at anyone;
That it may unloaded be, matters not the least to me.
When a hedge or fence you cross, though of time it cause a loss,
From your gun the cartridge take, for the greater safety sake.
If ‘twixt you and neighbouring gun, bird may fly or beast may run,
Let this maxim e’er be thine; “Follow not across the line”.
Stops and beaters oft unseen, lurk behind some leafy screen;
Calm and steady always be; “Never shoot where you can’t see”.
Keep your place and silent be; game can hear and game can see;
Don’t be greedy, better spared, is a pheasant than one shared.
You may kill or you may miss, but at all times think of this –
“All the pheasants ever bred won’t repay for one man dead.”