ABOUT DEER OPEN SEASON
In the UK deer seasons have been set up to give our wild deer protection during key times and support the development of sustainable and healthy populations. The BDS has since its inception been actively involved in bring in and ensuring the continuation of these legally protected seasons.
Currently, the law provides protection to male and female deer during key times in relation to the different species breeding and growth cycles. This is why different species and sexes will have different open seasons when hunting can take place.
There are, however, some exceptions for example muntjac are classed as an invasive species and as such have no closed season and can be shot all year round. The law also allows sick or injured deer to be humanely shot out of season. There are also occasions when a special licence can be obtained to manage deer numbers out of season.
The table below gives the open season dates for each UK deer species by sex and location as the law differs in Scotland to the rest of the UK.
The law as it relates to deer may be subject to change and all information provided is for guidance only.
*PLEASE NOTE: The Scottish Parliament voted on Government proposals to abolish the season for male deer in Scotland. Despite having been rejected by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, the Parliament voted to accept the Government proposal. This means that, effective from 21st October 2023, there is no close season for male deer of any species in Scotland.
The table below shows current Open Seasons, which may be subject to legislative change.
Species
Sex
Open Season England, Wales & N Ireland
Open Season Scotland *
RED, SIKA, AND Their HYBRIDS
Male
1 August – 30 April
No Close Season
Female
1 November – 31 March
21 October – 15 February
Female
1 November – 31 March
21 October – 15 February
Female
1 November – 31 March
21 October – 31 March
Notes:
- Seasons for red and sika include hybrids of both species.
- Because it can be difficult to readily differentiate between male and female water deer in the field, the open and closed seasons for them are the same.
- Muntjac, on account of having no fixed times of year for breeding, cannot be afforded the deliberate protection of a closed season. The BDS recommends, however, that when culling female muntjac only immature or heavily pregnant does are selected to avoid leaving dependent young.
- Roe and water deer are not present in Northern Ireland.
- Water deer and muntjac are not recognised as being present in Scotland under the terms of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.
Time of day
Deer may normally only be shot between one hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset wherever you may be in the United Kingdom.
Night shooting requires a licence from one of the national statutory bodies. Good reason will need to be proven before the grant of one will be considered: this will usually relate to public health, public safety, conserving the natural heritage or preventing serious damage to property.
