Welcome to the Seasonal Shooting Calendar

Across the UK, game birds, waterfowl and mammals, great and small can legally be shot. However, in which season can you shoot which species? Our seasonal shooting calendar aims to answer that question. Simply select your preferred type of target or location to view the season and location where you can legally shoot.

View the Calendar

Rabbit and pigeon can be shot all year round – for other species, however, you'll need to consult a shooting calendar as there are strict open and closed season rules to abide by.

Why do we need a shooting calendar?

Essentially to protect and control our island's birds and animals. Controls exist to allow populations to breed, grow and migrate in search of food during the winter. If there weren't seasonal restrictions, we'd soon lose some of our most colourful and emblematic creatures.

Are there local rules for shooting game?

Yes. Here are a couple of local shooting regulations to give you an idea of the depth and breadth they cover:

- It is not permitted to shoot ducks and geese on the islands of Guernsey and Jersey.

- No game can be killed in England and Wales on Sundays or Christmas Day.

It's worth familiarising yourself with the Ground Game Act 1880, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 and the Protection of Birds Act 1954. While we've made every effort to make our game shooting calendar as accurate as possible, we've deliberately left out local restrictions and variations in shooting dates.

Why do local variations exist for shooting game?

Migration patterns mean there will always be minor changes in the shooting calendar. For example, Black Grouse can be shot between August 20 and Dec 10 (inclusive) in England, Scotland and Wales. However, in Somerset, Devon and the New Forest, the open season is September 1 to December 10 (inclusive).

Where can I find more information on game and the shooting seasons?

For everyday online content about shooting, gun maintenance and a growing collection of tasty game recipes, please visit our blog. If you are going on a shoot, we suggest checking out our specialist insurance.