Search the Community

Okay, I'm sure I'm reading too much in too this, but may I have a few opinions on when it's legal to shoot rabbits in England?? I have a permission - about twenty acres - that is overrun by rabbits, and the land owner has asked me to reduce the numbers. Can I cull the bunnies without legal grief??? In particular, as below from the BACS website, what does "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." mean? Thanks,... Ground Game Open Seasons (dates inclusive) Species England & Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Isle of Man Brown Hare Jan 1 – Dec 31 moorland & unenclosed land is subject to a close season (see below) Open season Oct 1 – Jan 31 Aug 12 – Jan 31* Brown or common hare Oct 1 – Jan 31 Mountain Hare Open season Aug 1 – Feb 28/29 Rabbit Jan 1 – Dec 31 moorland & unenclosed land is subject to a close season (see below) Jan 1 – Dec 31 moorland & unenclosed land is subject to a close season (see below) Rabbit is classed as a pest and therefore not subject to a close season No close season * The Special Protection Order previously issued to give Irish hare additional protection is no longer in place and therefore the Irish Hare is now subject to an open season as above. Moorland and unenclosed land does not include arable land or detached portions of land less than 25 acres which adjoins arable 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) In Scotland, the occupier of the land or persons authorised by him may kill rabbit throughout the year on moorland and unenclosed land (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 (Section 1 (3) of the Ground Game Act 1880 as modified by the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948). Hares are subject to a close season (Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011) (see above).