Night shooting simplified for England’s deer managers

New registration-based licence

Deer managers in England can now shoot at night under a new licence released by Natural England. CL55, Licence to kill deer at night by shooting, which came into force on 23 February, replaces the previous system of individual permissions with a registration-based framework open to all qualified deer managers. It covers red deer, fallow, roe, sika, Chinese water deer and muntjac during their respective open seasons, and permits night shooting for one of three defined reasons: public health and safety, conservation, or prevention of serious damage to property.

The licence is one of the first practical deliverables from the Government’s 10-year Deer Impacts Policy Statement, also published in February, which promised to make night shooting easier to access. Night, for the purposes of the licence, runs from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.

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Thermal imaging formally authorised

The most notable change is the formal authorisation of thermal imaging riflescopes for deer night shooting for the first time, bringing the legal framework into line with technology that has become central to modern practice.

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How the CL55 process works

The licensing process works in three stages. Deer managers register with Natural England, give at least five working days’ notice before shooting on any new site, and submit a report of every outing – whether or not a deer is shot – within two weeks. Eligibility falls into four categories, covering different combinations of qualification and experience, from those previously named on individual night shooting licences with a strong compliance record through to holders of advanced deer stalking qualifications with demonstrable knowledge of night-shooting equipment.

BASC, which worked with Natural England on the licence’s development and led the rewrite of the Night Shooting Best Practice Guide, welcomed the change and acknowledged night shooting as an important component of sustainable deer management.

The organisation’s deer advisor James Sutcliffe said: “BASC was pleased to work with Natural England on this and to share practical experience to help shape a licence that works in the real world.

“The new licence makes the process for carrying out night shooting much more straightforward, which is important for those managing deer on the ground. Having a clearer, simpler system will help trained and responsible deer managers carry out this work effectively and without unnecessary delays, while maintaining high standards of professionalism.”

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Safeguards and duration

Existing welfare safeguards remain in place under CL55, including protections for females with dependent young. The licence runs until 31 July 2026 and will ordinarily be reissued each August. Registration is via the CL55 form on the Natural England website.