Open Seasons in Scotland

The laws and traditions surrounding the taking of live quarry are complex but over time a system of seasons has evolved whereby certain animals cannot be taken at certain times of the year. Most game animals need a time of year when they are left alone, to avoid unnecessary suffering and to conserve numbers. Open seasons vary from species to species and from place to place.

Be sure to check locally before you shoot anything which might have a closed season. Shooting is largely restricted on Sundays and Christmas Day.

Shooting

Grouse                         12 Aug – 10 Dec

Partridge                     1 Sept – 1 Feb

Pheasant                     1 Oct – 1 Feb

Ptarmigan                   12 Aug – 10 Dec

Blackgame                  20 Aug – 10 Dec

Common Snipe          12 Aug – 31 Jan

Woodcock                   1 Aug – 31 Jan

Stalking

Red                                         

Stags                            1 July – 20 Oct

Hinds                           21 Oct – 15 Feb

Roe

Buck                             1 Apr – 20 Oct

Doe                               21 Oct – 31 Mar

Fallow

Buck                             1 Sep – 30 Apr

Doe                               21 Oct – 15 Feb

Sika

Stags                             1 Jul – 20 Oct

Hinds                            21 Oct – 15 Feb

Muntjac                      No close season