|
Species |
England, Wales and Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
Isle of Man |
|
Hare: Brown Mountain |
Jan 1 – Dec 31 moorland & unenclosed land is subject to a close season ** |
Aug 12 - Jan 31* |
Oct 2 – Jan 31 |
|
Rabbit |
Jan 1 – Dec 31 moorland & unenclosed land is subject to a close season ** |
No close season |
No close season |
*Irish Hare is fully protected under a Special Protection Order which has to be renewed regularly as the order lasts for a period of less than twelve months.
**Moorland and unenclosed land
In England and Wales occupiers or authorised persons may only take and kill ground game on moorland or unenclosed land between 1 September and 31 March inclusive. Firearms may only be used for such purposes between 11 December and 31 March. (Ground Game Act 1880 Section 1 (3) and Ground Game (Amendment) Act 1906 Section 2)
Moorland and unenclosed land does not include arable land or detached portions of land less than 25 acres which adjoins arable land.
In Scotland, Section 1 (3) of the Ground Game Act 1880 has been modified by the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948 as follows:
“The occupier of the land or persons authorised by him may kill ground game, throughout the year, on moorlands and unenclosed lands (not being arable) by all legal means other than by shooting, and by means of firearms over the period from 1 July to 31 March inclusive.”
In England, Wales and Scotland ground game can be killed all year round on land which is not classed as moorland or unenclosed land.
