Open seasons for deer
Different species of deer have different open seasons. In addition for the various hinds and stags there are close seasons when it is illegal to stalk and shoot quarry. This is crucial to allow the population to breed and travel to different areas to feed.
Here is our list of open seasons for the various species of deer when you can go out stalking. (Dates are inclusive.)
Red Stags
England and Wales: 1 August – 30 April
Scotland: 1 July – 20 October
Northern Ireland: 1 August – 30 April
Red hinds
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: 21 October – 15 February
Northern Ireland: 1 November – 28 February
Sika stags
England and Wales: 1 August – 30 April
Scotland: 1 July – 20 October
Northern Ireland: 1 August – 30 April
Sika hinds
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: 21 October – 15 February
Northern Ireland: 1 November – 28 February
Fallow bucks
England and Wales: 1 August – 30 April
Scotland: 1 August – 30 April
Northern Ireland: 1 August – 30 April
Fallow does
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: 21 October – 15 February
Northern Ireland: 1 November – 28 February
Roe bucks
England and Wales: 1 April – 31 October
Scotland: 1 April – 20 October
Northern Ireland: Not found
Roe does
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: 21 October – 31 March
Northern Ireland: Not found
Chinese water bucks
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: Not found
Northern Ireland: Not found
Chinese water does
England and Wales: 1 November – 31 March
Scotland: Not found
Northern Ireland: Not found
Muntjac*
England and Wales: All year round
Scotland: All year round
Northern Ireland: Not found
*There is no statutory closed season for this species. It is recommended that when culling female muntjac immature or heavily pregnant does are elected to avoid leaving dependent young.
