Open seasons for deer

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.