Run a shooting, game or wildlife management business

This guide is for shoot operators, gamekeepers, deer stalkers and wildlife management contractors in England, with the main Welsh and Scottish differences flagged (in Wales, Natural Resources Wales issues the wildlife and deer licences and runs its own general licence series). Northern Ireland has a separate regime under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and is not covered here. The regimes stack: police-issued firearms certificates for the guns, close seasons for what you shoot and when, and wildlife law for everything else you disturb, control or release along the way.

A. Firearms and shotgun certificates

Every shotgun and rifle used in the business needs the right certificate from your police force. For a firearm certificate you must show a good reason for each firearm. For a shotgun certificate the police must grant unless satisfied you have no good reason or would endanger public safety. Fees rose substantially on 5 February 2025 — the first increase since 2015.

B. Game birds — close seasons and selling game

The Game Act 1831 still sets the close seasons for pheasant, partridge, grouse and black game, but its licensing machinery is gone: the excise game licence and local authority game dealer licence were both abolished in England and Wales from 1 August 2007 (Scotland followed in 2011). What remains is observing the close seasons and the ordinary food hygiene rules when game enters the food chain.

C. Releasing gamebirds near protected sites

In England, releasing pheasants or red-legged partridges on a Special Protection Area, or within 500 metres of one, now needs an individual licence from Natural England — the GL45 general licence expired on 1 February 2025 and has not been reissued. Releases on or near Special Areas of Conservation remain covered by general licence GL43 (valid to 1 February 2027). Check the current licensing position before each release season.

D. Wildlife law and pest control

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 sits over the whole operation: it protects wild birds and scheduled species, bans certain killing and taking methods, and channels lawful bird control through general licences — Natural England's GL40 to GL42 for 2026 in England. Natural Resources Wales runs its own series. Anything outside a general licence needs an individual one.

E. Deer management

In England and Wales the Deer Act 1991 sets close seasons by species and sex. Occupiers may shoot deer out of season without a licence to prevent serious damage to crops or growing timber (section 7). Other out-of-season culling needs a licence from Natural England or Natural Resources Wales. Scotland is different: close seasons for all male deer were abolished from 21 October 2023, female close seasons remain, and NatureScot authorisations cover night shooting and out-of-season control — follow "Deer management obligations in Scotland" if you stalk north of the border.

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