Game and Fishing Seasons
Game and Fishing Seasons in Scotland
GAME AND FISHING SEASONS :
For most species of game and fish there is statutory season in the UK which may vary slightly in some respects between Scotland and England. In practice the complete legal open season is not normally utilised to the full for some species. A guide is given below to both the statutory seasons for each species and the times within that when sport usually takes place.
Species Statutory Open Season Usually practised
Red grouse/ptarmigan (Driven) 12th Aug-10th Dec Late Aug- Oct
Grouse/ptarmigan (over dogs) 12th Aug-10th Dec 12th Aug-mid Sept
Blackgame 20th Aug-10th Dec not normally shot
Pheasant (driven) 1st Oct - 1st Feb Late Oct-1st Feb
Pheasant (walked up) 1st Oct - 1st Feb All season
Partridge (Driven and wallked up) 1st Sept - 1st Feb All season
Duck (Inland) 1st Sept - 31st Jan All season
Duck (Foreshore) 1st Sept - 20th Feb All season
Geese [Inland ] 1st Sept - 31st Jan Late Sept-31st Jan
Geese(Foreshore) 1st Sept - 20th Feb Late Sept-20th Feb
Woodcock 1st Sept - 31st Jan Nov - Jan
Snipe 20th Aug - 31st Jan All season
Brown Hare No close season Oct - Early March
Mountain Hare No close season Nov- Early March
Rabbit No close season Anytime
Woodpigeon No close season July -end March
DEER
Red Deer (Stags) 1st July - 20th Oct Aug-20th Oct
Red Deer (Hinds) 21st Oct - 15th Feb Nov - Jan
Roe Deer (Bucks) 1st April - 20th Oct May - Sept
Roe Deer (Does) 21st Oct -31st March All season
Fallow Deer (Bucks) 1st Aug -30th April Sept - Feb
Fallow Deer (Does) 21st Oct - 15th Feb All season
Sika Deer (Stags) 1st July - 20th Oct Aug - 20th Oct
Sika Deer (Hinds) 21st Oct - 15th Feb All season