Hunting Seasons in United Kingdom 2026
| Species / Season | Open Season | Night Hunting | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Deer Season England/Wales | 08/01 – 04/30 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Stags Aug–Apr, hinds Nov–Mar · Rifle only, bowhunting illegal |
| Roe Buck Season UK | 04/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Bucks Apr–Oct, does Nov–Mar · Minimum caliber .243 Win |
| Fallow Deer Season UK | 08/01 – 04/30 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Bucks Aug–Apr, does Nov–Mar · Private hunting rights, landowner permission |
| Sika Deer UK | 08/01 – 04/30 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Stags Aug–Apr, hinds Nov–Mar · Minimum caliber requirements |
| Fox Season UK | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Year-round, firearms permitted · Wildlife and Countryside Act |
| Badger Season UK | 07/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Strictly regulated, license needed · Protection of Badgers Act 1992 |
| American Mink Season United Kingdom | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Invasive species, year-round · No closed season |
| European Hare Season United Kingdom | 10/01 – 02/28 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Driven and stand hunting · Hunting law, population dependent |
| Wild Rabbit Season United Kingdom | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Year-round · Hunting law |
| Feral Goat Season UK | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Year-round, Highlands and Wales · Landowner permission |
| Pheasant Season United Kingdom | 10/01 – 02/01 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Driven and stand hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
| Grey Partridge Season | 09/01 – 02/01 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Driven hunt, shotgun · Population dependent, declining numbers |
| Red-legged Partridge Season | 09/01 – 02/01 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Driven hunt, shotgun · Conservation measures |
| Woodcock Season United Kingdom | 10/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Dusk hunting, shotgun · Hunting law, EU Birds Directive |
| Mallard Season United Kingdom | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Most common duck, shotgun · Hunting law, daily bag limit |
| Teal Season United Kingdom | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Smallest duck species, shotgun · Hunting law |
| Greylag Goose Season United Kingdom | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Goose flighting, shotgun/rifle · Hunting law |
| Canada Goose Season United Kingdom | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Introduced species · Hunting law |
| Wood Pigeon Season United Kingdom | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Decoying and stand hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
| Carrion Crow Season United Kingdom | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Decoying, shotgun · {'General License' if cc=='GB' else 'Hunting law'} |
| Magpie Season | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Decoying and stand · Hunting law |
| Jay Season | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Stand and decoying · Hunting law |
| Coot Season | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Shotgun, waterside hunting · Hunting law |
| Snipe Season | 08/12 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Bog hunting, shotgun · EU Birds Directive |
| Wigeon Season | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Waterfowl hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
| Gadwall Season | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Waterfowl hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
| Pintail Season | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Waterfowl hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
| White-fronted Goose Season | 09/01 – 01/31 | no | rifle | Seasons may differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. — Waterfowl hunting, shotgun · Hunting law |
Note: Summary from the HuntKit hunting seasons database (as of 2026-08-02). Seasons may vary regionally and change at short notice — the official regulations of the respective country/state prevail. Not legal advice.
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