A shooter in a field with their gundog taking aim
A shooter in a field with their gundog taking aim

What can I shoot?

There are a number of gamebirds, waterfowl (ducks, geese and waders) and other bird species, as well as mammals, which can be shot legally.

For many of them, there is a close season when it is illegal to shoot them, and this helps to ensure that they are able to breed successfully and move between breeding and wintering grounds.

The bird quarry species and their open seasons in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are shown below.

The exception to the rule is on the Isle of Man, where a licence is required to shoot game and is available from the Treasury Office. Game is defined as pheasant, partridge, grouse or moor game and hare (brown or common). A game dealer’s licence is also required for those wishing to deal in game.

There is no requirement for a game licence on Guernsey but you must hold an appropriate firearm or shotgun certificate.

In Jersey there are no game seasons and therefore a game licence is not required. Is this relevant?

Game licences to kill or take (shoot) game are not required in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, in Scotland, a venison dealer’s licence is still required for those wishing to deal venison although deer stalkers can sell their venison direct to a dealer without the need for a licence.

Game birds

A male pheasant

Pheasant

A grey partridge

Grey partridge

A red-legged partridge

Red-legged partridge

A red grouse

Red grouse

A black grouse

Black grouse

A ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

A Common snipe

Common snipe

Jack snipe

Jack snipe

A woodcock

Woodcock

A golden plover

Golden plover

A moorhen

Moorhen

Coot

Coot

Ducks

A gadwall duck

Gadwall

Goldeneye duck

Goldeneye

A mallard duck

Mallard

A pintail duck

Pintail

Pochard

A shoveler duck

Shoveler

A male scaup

Scaup

A teal duck

Teal

A tufted duck

Tufted

A wigeon duck

Wigeon

Geese

A canada goose

Canada

A greylag goose

Greylag

Pink-footed goose

White fronted goose

White-fronted goose

SpeciesEngland and WalesScotlandNorthern IrelandIsle of Man
PheasantOct 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Jan 31Oct 1 – Jan 31
Grey partridgeSep 1 – Feb 1Sep 1 – Feb 1Sep 1- Jan 31Protected (ban in force)
Red-legged partridgeSep 1 – Feb 1Sep 1 – Feb 1Sep 1- Jan 31Sep 13 – Jan 31
Red grouseAug 12 – Dec 10Aug 12 – Dec 10Aug 12 – Nov 30Aug 25 – Oct 31 *
Black grouseAug 20 – Dec 10 (Somerset, Devon and New Forest: Sep 1 – Dec 10)Aug 20 – Dec 10——
Ptarmigan—Aug 12 – Dec 10——
Duck and goose inlandSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31 – Duck July 1 – Mar 31 – Goose**
Duck and goose below HOST (see below)Sep 1 – Feb 20Sep 1 – Feb 20Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31- Duck Jul 1 – Mar 31 – Goose **
Common snipeAug 12 – Jan 31Aug 12 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31
Jack snipeProtectedProtectedSep 1 – Jan 31Protected
WoodcockOct 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Oct 1 – Jan 31Oct 1 – Jan 31
Golden ploverSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Protected
Coot/moorhenSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31ProtectedProtected

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below the high-water mark of ordinary spring tides Isle of Man: * Currently a voluntary ban on shooting red grouse is in place. ** Geese can only be shot under a general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

* 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.

In England and Wales under the Ground Game Act 1880 occupiers of land have an inalienable right to kill and take ground game concurrent with any other person holding such a right. Occupiers or a person authorised by them, acting under the authority of this act may only kill or take ground game on moorland between 1 September and 31 March inclusive. Further under Section 1 (3) and Ground Game Amendment Act 1906 Section 2) Firearms may only be used for such purposes between 11 December and 31 March.

In Scotland, the occupier of the land or persons authorised by them may kill rabbit throughout the year on moorland and unenclosed land (not being arable) by all legal means but only by means of firearms during 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).

Moorland and unenclosed land does not include arable land or detached portions of land less than 25 acres which adjoins arable land.

Sunday and Christmas Day shooting

Night Shooting

Share

A group of shooters walking with their dogs through a field

Where do I start?

There are various ways to get into game shooting but first things first you need to be a competent shot with a shotgun.

A group of beaters in the field

Transport of beaters

Provision of transport for shoot personnel; Guns, beaters, pickers-up, etc. is essential but often overlooked.

Get the latest updates from BASC

Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Quick links

Get involved

BASC logo
Facebook Icon-x-twitter Instagram Youtube

© 2024 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.

If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.

Pheasant

Pheasant cock flying
Cock pheasant

Male

Size: 76–89 cm (30–35 in)

Colouring very variable, but typically iridescent copper body plumage with glossy dark green head, scarlet wattle and white neck ring.

Pheasant hen flying
Hen pheasant

Female

Size: 53–64 cm (21–25in)

About two-thirds size of male, duller, mottled plumage tones varying from light buff to dark brown.  Juvenile similar to adult female.

Large gamebird; both sexes characterised by long, pointed tail.

Large size and long tail are unmistakable characteristics.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Oct – 1 Feb

Scotland: 1 Oct – 1 Feb

Northern Ireland: 1 Oct – 1 Feb

Isle of Man: 1 Oct – 31 Jan

Grey partridge

Grey English partridge cock

Male

Grey English partridge hen

Female

Size: 30cm (12 in)

Small, rotund gamebird with short wings and short, rufous tail.

Sexes essentially similar, although male slightly larger; both have characteristic orange-chestnut face, grey neck and under parts, and chestnut flanks; male has conspicuous dark chestnut horseshoe patch on lower breast, but this feature is usually only poorly developed in females.

Juvenile has orange or chestnut markings replaced by brown streaking.

NB: As wild grey partridges* have declined in number it is recommended that they are shot only where actively managed and their numbers remain above 20 birds per 100 ha. (Source: Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.)

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sep – 1 Feb

Scotland: 1 Sep – 1 Feb

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Protected species

Red-legged partridge

Male

Red-legged partridge female

Female

Size: 33cm (13in)

Small, rotund gamebird with short wings and tail. Sexes have similar plumage.

Adult has distinctive long white eye stripe, white throat and cheeks bordered black; chestnut, white and black-barred flanks; red bill and legs; rest of plumage olive brown, grey and buff. Juvenile lacks distinctive head pattern and barred flanks.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sep – 1 Feb

Scotland: 1 Sep – 1 Feb

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 13 Sep – 31 Jan

Red grouse

Red grouse male

Male

Size: 36–39 cm (14–151/2 in)

Red grouse female

Female

Size: 33–36 cm (13–14 in)

Medium-sized grouse characterised by rotund appearance, short wings; body plumage uniform dark rufous-brown with darker wings and black rounded tail.

Sexes similar, but female more barred and a duller rufous colour. Adults appear greyer in winter, with white underwing feathers and occasionally show white on flanks and belly. Juvenile generally like female.

Season

England and Wales: 12 Aug – 10 Dec

Scotland: 12 Aug – 10 Dec

Northern Ireland: 12 Aug – 30 Nov

Isle of Man:* 25 Aug – 31 Oct

* Currently a voluntary ban on shooting red grouse is in place. 

Black grouse

Black Grouse-male

Male

Size: 53 cm (21in)

Plumage glossy blueblack with white wing bar and curled, lyre-shaped outer tail feathers. In autumn plumage looks dingy, without characteristic lyre-shaped tail.

Black-Grouse- female

Female

Size: 41–43cm (16–17 in)

Warm brown above, greyer and paler under parts, mottled and barred with black throughout; slightly forked tail. Juveniles like small dull female.

Medium-sized grouse.

NB: As black grouse* are declining in number it is recommended that they are shot only where actively managed and their numbers are above two or more males per 100 ha. (Source: Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.)

Season

England and Wales:  20 Aug – 10 Dec

Somerset, Devon and New Forest: 1 Sep – 10 Dec

Scotland: 20 Aug – 10 Dec

Northern Ireland: N/A

Isle of Man: N/A

Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan - male

Male

Ptarmigan - female

Female

Size: 33–36 cm (13–14 in)

Small grouse, both male and female characterised by pure white wings and under parts at all seasons.

In winter both sexes pure white except for black tail. Male in autumn has greyish brown mottled head, neck, flanks, upper breast and body, and black tail; female darker. Juvenile like autumn female, but with pale brown wings and tail same colour as back.

Season

England and Wales: N/A

Scotland: 12 Aug – 10 Dec

Northern Ireland: N/A

Isle of Man: N/A

Common snipe

Common snipe female

Size: 27 cm (101/2 in)

Small brown wader with characteristic long, straight bill. Upper parts rufous brown and black with golden buff stripes on head and back; under parts white with dark brown markings and pale barred flank. White trailing edge to wing in flight.

Characteristic zig-zag flight pattern when disturbed.

Season

England and Wales: 12 Aug – 31 Jan

Scotland: 12 Aug – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Jack snipe

Jack snipe - male

Size: 17–19cm (7in)

Small, relatively short-billed and large-headed snipe, with dark plumage, and rather slow, reluctant flight.

Longitudinal back stripes obvious at close range; flanks mottled or softly streaked, not barred. Tail wedge-shaped. Almost silent except when displaying.

Season

England and Wales: Protected 

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Protected

Woodcock

Woodcock

Size: 34 cm (131/2 in)

Medium-sized, dark, round-winged wader with long straight bill. Plumage richly marked with browns, buff and black on upper parts; under parts light brown with fine dark brown barring. In flight looks stout with short tail and long bill angled downwards.

Sexes similar; young resemble adults.

Typically found in woodland by day but often flies out to open country at dusk.

For information on woodcock habitat management and shooting sustainably, read our woodcock advice sheet.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Scotland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan 

Northern Ireland: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Isle of Man: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Golden plover

A golden plover adult

Adult (breeding)

A golden plover juvenile

Adult (winter)

Size: 28 cm (11in)

Medium-sized wader with short, straight bill and rounded head. Distinguished in all seasons by rich gold and black spotted plumage on back and wings, white underwing, and dark tail; no wing bar. In winter underside and face whitish, mottled gold-brown.

Sexes similar but juvenile plumage more uniform than adult, paler above and darker below.

Season

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Scotland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Protected

Moorhen

A moorhen

Adult

Juvenile moorhen

Juvenile

Size: 33 cm (13 in)

Small-sized, dark waterbird. Striking white flank stripes and undertail feathers with dark brownish-black upper parts and slate grey under parts.

Bill and frontal shield bright red; yellow bill tip. Sexes similar; juveniles brownish with creamy flank stripes, white undertail feathers and greenish-brown bill.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: Protected

Coot

A coot

Size: 38 cm (15 in)

Medium-sized, bulky waterbird, characterised by overall very dark slate-grey body colour and black head in sharp contrast to white bill and frontal shield.

On water distinguished by round back and apparently small head. Sexes similar; juvenile dark brown above, pale brown and whitish under parts.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: Protected

Gadwall

Gadwall - male flying

Male

Black with white flanks and belly; rounded head and drooping crest.

Gadwall - female flying

Female

Rich dark brown head and back; flanks and underside paler; crest shorter than male.

In flight both sexes appear black with white belly and a distinctive broad white wing bar. Juvenile resembles female.

Size: 46–56cm (18–22in)

Small, compact dabbling duck.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)*

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

* The sale of Gadwall is prohibited by the WCA1981.

Goldeneye

Goldeneye - male

Male

High-crowned, ‘triangular’ dark head and short bill, with greenish-purple gloss and circular white patch on cheek; neck and under parts white contrasting with black back and rump and grey tail; white inner wing readily seen in flight.

Goldeneye - female

Female

Smaller than male; has chocolate-brown head, pale blue-grey upper parts with white under parts, grey flanks and tail; wings dark with conspicuous white patch similar to male.

Size: 42–50cm (17–20in)

Medium-sized, stocky diving duck.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Mallard

Mallard-drake-male in flight

Male

Mallard hen in-flight

Female

Large, heavily built dabbling duck with rather long head and bill.

Size: 50–65cm (20–26in)

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Pintail

Pintail - male
Pintail - male in flight

Male

Dark brown head, and back of neck, pure white breast, sides and front of neck, extending as white streak up side of head; under parts white; back and flanks light grey; rump black; wings grey and brown with green speculum conspicuous in flight.

Pintail - female
Pintail - female in flight

Female

Duller, grey-brown plumage and no discernible wing pattern in flight, except a light trailing edge to inner wing.

Juvenile resembles female, but generally darker and more uniform.

Size: 51–66 cm (20–26in)

Large slim dabbling duck with long neck and long narrow tail.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Pochard

Pochard - male

Male

Dark chestnut head and neck contrasting with pale grey back and flanks, black breast and tail.

Pochard - female

Female

Uniform dull brown, slightly paler around face.

Both sexes characterised in flight by absence of white on wings; forewing dark grey. Juvenile resembles female.

Size: 42–49cm (17–19in)

Medium-sized diving duck with short-necked, ‘dumpy’ appearance on water, and long broad bill.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Shoveler

Shoveler - male
Shoveler - male in flight

Male

Striking dark green head, chestnut flanks and belly contrasting with pure white chest, pale blue forewing, green speculum edged with white.

Shoveler - female
Shoveler - female in flight

Female

Mottled brown, with similar but duller blue forewing and green speculum.

Juvenile a dull version of female.

Size: 44–52cm (17–20 in)

Medium-sized dabbling duck; both sexes characterised by very large, spoon-like bill, large flattened head and short neck.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Scaup

A male scaup in water

Male

Black heads, shoulder and breast, with white flanks, grey back and a black tail.

A female scaup in water

Female

Predominantly brown with white patches around the base of the bill.  In flight they show white patches along the length of the trailing edge of the wing.

Size: 42-51cm (16.5-20in)

Diving ducks with a strong resemblance to tufted ducks.

Seasons

Northern Ireland only 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: N/A

Scotland: N/A

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST*

England and Wales: N/A

Scotland: N/A

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Teal

Eurasian Teal duck

Male

Characterised by conspicuous grey plumage contrasting with dark chestnut head, creamy-buff patch on each side of black under-tail feathers and prominent white stripe along shoulders; breast cream coloured, spotted with black; underside white.

A female teal

Female

Mottled brown with paler cheeks and whitish underside.

Size: 34–38cm (13–15in)

Small, compact dabbling duck with narrow pointed wings.

Juvenile similar to female with spotted under parts.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Tufted

Tufted duck-male
Tufted duck - male

Male

Black with white flanks and a long tuft at the back of the head.

Tufted duck - female
Tufted duck - female in flight

Female

Entirely chocolate brown except for a white area on the belly.

Size: 40-47cm (15-18.5in)

A medium-sized diving duck that is just smaller than the mallard and chunkier than a wigeon .

Both with a visible tuft on the top of their heads that provides the basis of their name, they have pale blue bills with black tip and yellow eyes and when in flight both show an obvious white stripe across the back of their wing.

Seasons

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Wigeon

Wigeon - male

Male

Duller; brown plumage tinged rufous, white underside, green speculum fringed with white wing bars. Short bill and dark, pointed tail useful identifying characters.

Wigeon - female

Female

Mainly grey with buff forehead and crown, chestnut head, chest pinkish brown, white under parts; white shoulder patch readily seen in flight.

Size: 45–51cm (18–20in)

Medium-sized, short-necked, compact dabbling duck with small bill, pointed tail and narrow wings.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)*

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Canada goose

Size: 91–102 cm (36–40 in)

Very large, grey-brown goose with long neck; black head and neck with distinctive white patch extending from chin across cheeks to behind eye. Body dark above; paler brown flanks and under parts; tail black with white inner band. Bill and legs black.

Males and females similar and young birds similar to adults, and generally indistinguishable in field.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

This species can be shot throughout the year (i.e. during the close season) in England, Wales and Scotland only under the terms and conditions of specific general licences. 

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

Greylag

Size: 75–90 cm (30–35 in)

Large, big-headed, thick-necked, heavy grey goose. Head, neck and most of body uniform pale brownish-grey.

Characterised by large size, heavy head and neck with stout bill, and very pale bluish-grey forewing – the latter especially distinctive in flight.  Bill bright orange; legs flesh pink. Breast often spotted with black.

Young birds similar to adults but generally unspotted, with greyer legs.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

Pink-footed goose

Pink-foot goose male

Size: 60–76 cm (24–30 in)

Medium-sized, pinkish-grey goose characterised by dark head and neck, contrasting with pale brownish body. Bill is small and short, dark-coloured with a pink band; feet and legs are pink. Back and wings grey; paler forewing noticeable in flight.

Young birds darker and more uniform above, mottled appearance below compared with more uniform colouring of adults.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

White-fronted goose

White fronted goose

Size: 66–76 cm (26–30 in)

Two races of the white-fronted goose regularly occur in the British Isles: the European white-front and the Greenland white-front. 
  
The two races are distinguishable in the field and have markedly different winter ranges. They are both protected in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 
  
A medium-sized grey-brown goose characterised by white band at base of upper bill and black bars on belly. The amount of black on underside is variable. 
  
Young birds lack these characteristics but are normally found among adults. Generally dark greyish-brown plumage, fairly long pink bill, orange legs.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST*

England: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981.