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UK Deer Legislation
The following is a guide to the law regarding deer stalking and deer management in the UK.
Deer legislation across the UK is not uniform. In both Scotland and Northern Ireland the legislation is different from that in England & Wales. For both residents of the UK and for the international hunter this is an important point to recognise.
The following are just some of the more important legal points to remember.
Although the Deer Act allow occupiers to protect their crops from excessive damage, and to permit the killing of an animal to prevent suffering, the stalker must not:
A) Use anything except legal firearms to kill deer
B) Shoot out of season unless authorised to do so
C) Shoot at night (one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise) except under licence
D) Shoot from a moving vehicle, or use a vehicle to drive deer.
E) Sell venison in Scotland, except to a licensed venison dealer.
(Please note a Game Licence is no longer needed to kill or take deer, anywhere in the UK).
Firearms & Ammunition
The stalker may only use a rifle and ammunition which is legal for the species of deer being shot. In addition to adherence with the law, the stalker should be guided by knowledge, experience and personal preference in their choice of a rifle and calibre. The legal requirements are laid down in the Deer Acts.
ENGLAND & WALES
For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement.
NORTHERN IRELAND
For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used.
For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .236 inches, a minimum bullet weight of 100 grains and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement.
SCOTLAND
For roe deer, where the bullet must weigh at least 50 grains AND have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second and a minimum muzzle energy of 1,000 foot pounds may be used.
For all deer of any species - the bullet must weigh at least 80 grains AND have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second and a minimum muzzle energy of 1,750 foot pounds. It must be stressed that all these figures are the minimum legal requirement.
(For more on Rifle Calibres suitable for deer stalking in the UK follow this link: rifle-calibres)
For all deer stalking the bullet must be of a type designed to expand/deform on impact. For example soft nose or ballistic tip.
(For more on Expanding Ammunition follow this link: expanding-ammunition)
How to Start Deer Stalking.
If you’d like to get into deer stalking a great place to start is by taking the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) via the ‘Shooting & Hunting Academy. Follow this link to find out more and get started: Proficient Deer Stalking Course - PDS1
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Deer Stalking in the South East
County Deer Stalking is a quality provider of Deer Stalking Outings and Deer Stalker Training in the South East of England and offers hunting experiences just a short distance from London, Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the M3 and M4 motorways.
We provide some of the best deer hunting in the UK, this is because the south east of England has a relatively moderate climate and high density of woodland in comparsion to other areas of the UK. This in turn provides good quality grazing and browse for the deer and contributes significantly to both the population size and the quality of the animals.
Above: Deer Stalking in the South East of England just 45 mins from London, for the native Roe Deer. At County Deer Stalking we are able to arrange hunting of all 6 of the UK's deer species.
Each year County Deer Stalking acts as the leading deer hub for all things deer stalking and carries out hundreds of deer stalker outings for Red, Roe, Muntjac, Fallow, Sika and Chinese Water Deer in the south east and southern counties of England.
For those that wish to 'go it alone' we also have a superb unaccompanied deer stalking syndicate, click here for more details: deer-stalking-syndicate
Furthermore, bookings are invited 365 days a year, due to the nature of the 'open' hunting/stalking seasons in the UK.
Follow this link to Deer Open Seasons in England & Wales: deer-stalking-seasons)
'Go Stalking' with County Deer Stalking in the South East England. Book now on 0203 981 0159 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
At County Deer Stalking we are based in the South East of England and can offer superb guided deer stalking for alll six of the UK's deer species, Fallow, Muntjac and Sika deer, in beautiful surroundings less than one hour from London, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
(Above: A client stalking with County Deer Stalking during the height of the Roe Rut)
Our stalking and huting grounds are in Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, Oxfordshire Cambridgeshire and Kent, where we manage the deer on a number of prestigious estates over thousands of acres of stunning countrside.
For those that are travelling from aboroad we are also able to assist with first class accommodation and transport.
Click on any one of the links below to read more about a particular county within the South East of England or to book an outing Deer Stalking in the South East of England please follow this link: outings for more detail. Or why not call 0203 981 0159 / 0208 239 7311 / 07789 747709 or email
Alternatively to watch us in action stalking deer in some of the south east counties, take a look at our short films page: short-films
The Chiltern Hills
Oxfordshire
Berkshire
Hampshire
Wiltshire
Sussex
Dorset
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Deer Stalking Seasons in England & Wales
Deer are protected by legislation which makes it an offence to kill or take deer during their closed season.
Deer Stalking OPEN Seasons England & Wales:
| RED DEER | |
| Stags | 1st Aug - 30th April. |
| Hinds | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| FALLOW DEER* | |
| Bucks | 1st Aug - 30th April |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| SIKA DEER* | |
| Stags | 1st Aug - 30th April |
| Hinds | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| ROE DEER* | |
| Bucks | 1st Apr - 31st October |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| CHINESE WATER DEER | |
| Bucks | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| MUNTJAC DEER* | |
| Bucks | No Close Season |
| Does | No Close Season |
Please note that Deer Stalking Seasons for Scotland and Ireland differ from those of England & Wales.
How to Start Deer Stalking.
If you’d like to get into deer stalking a great place to start is by taking the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) via the ‘Shooting & Hunting Academy. Follow this link to find out more and get started: Proficient Deer Stalking Course - PDS1
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Deer Stalking is the term used in the UK to refer to Deer Hunting or the stealthy pursuit of deer. Though historically undertaken with the use of dogs modern deer stalking in the UK is typically undertaken with the use of a high powered rifle fitted with a telescopic sight.
