Game to Eat

Game can only be shot during specific times of the years and a basic guide to the shooting seasons is given below. However, increasingly frozen game meat is available year round.

GAMEBIRD & WATERFOWL OPEN SEASON:

Pheasant
1st October - 1st February

Partridge - Grey & Red-legged
1st September - 1st February

Red Grouse
12th August  - 10th December

Duck and Goose
1st September - 31st January (Inland)
1st September - 20th February (Below High Water Mark)

Common Snipe
12th August - 31st January

Woodcock
1st October - 31st January

GROUND GAME OPEN SEASON

Brown Hare

They have darker, richer meat than rabbit and are best eaten young.  A 'leveret' is a hare under one year old and hare is at its best peak between October and January.



 

 

 

 

Wild Rabbit

No close season. Has a firm, meaty flesh with a good gamey flavour. An average rabbit weighs about 1.2kg to 1.8kg (2lb 10oz to 4lb) and will serve four comfortably

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEER OPEN SEASONS

Roe Deer 

Bucks: 1^st Apr-30^th Oct (England and Wales)

1^st April – 20^th Oct (Scotland)

Does: 1^st Nov-31^st March (England and Wales)

21^st Oct-31^st March (Scotland)

This deer is indigenous to the UK and has a mild flavour and a fine texture. 

Fallow Deer 

Bucks: 1^st Aug-30^th April 

Does: 1^st Nov-31^st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)

21^stOct-15^th Feb (Scotland)

This deer came over with the Norman Conquest and although it is a delicate meat it is slightly more robust than the roe venison 

 

 

 

Red Deer      

Stags 1^st Aug-30^th Apr (England, Wales and N Ireland)

1^st July -20^th Oct (Scotland)

 Hinds: 1^st Nov-31^st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)

  21^st Oct-15^th Feb (Scotland)

 Is indigenous to Scotland with a stronger, gamier meat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sika Deer 

Stags: 1^st Aug-30^thApr 

Hinds: 1^st Nov-31^st March (England, Wales and N Ireland)

21^st Oct-15^th Feb (Scotland)

Originating from East Asia this deer is similar in size to the red deer. It’s taken so well to the British climate that it has cross breed with the red deer.  It’s a strong flavoured meat 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muntjac Deer –Available all year round, it is the oldest known breed of deer originating from South Asia.  These deer are smaller with short antlers but unusual because they also have tusks.  It is becoming a popular meat with a good flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Water Deer

Bucks & Does - 1st Novermber - 31st March

It is the only deer without antlers and instead has a good set of canine teeth.