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Fieldsports seasons in Ireland

Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? Here are the gamebird and deer seasons you must know about

gameshooting in Ireland

Don’t assume that game seasons in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are the same. They are different in many cases. Check below for the dates when you can go out in the field after different quarry with our guide to fieldsports shooting seasons in Ireland.

grouse shooting

Red Grouse

Northern Ireland: Aug 12- Nov 30

Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Sep 30

Common snipe

Common Snipe

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31
Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

grey partridge

Grey partridge

Grey Partridge

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31
Republic of Ireland: N/A

red legged partridge

Red legged partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31
Republic of Ireland: Nov 1 – Jan 31

guide to wildfowling in the UK

Mallard drake

Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Jack Snipe, Ruddy Duck

Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

golden plover

Golden plover

Golden Plover

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31
Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

coot

Coot

Coot/Moorhen

Northern Ireland: Protected

pheasant

Pheasant

Pheasant

Northern Ireland: Oct 1 – Jan 31

Republic of Ireland: Nov 1 – Jan 31 (cocks only)

woodcock

Woodcock*

Northern Ireland: Oct 1 – Jan 31
Republic of Ireland: Nov 1 – Jan 31

*For the latest guidelines on shooting woodcock check the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) website here.  In fact, some shoots will ask you not to shoot woodcock at all.

Red deer

Open seasons for deer

Here is our list of open seasons for the various species of deer when you can go out stalking. (Dates…

Northern Ireland

  • All wild birds are protected on Sundays and Christmas Day.
  • Wild birds may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
Red stag

Red stag

Red deer

Northern Ireland: Aug 1 – Apr 30 (males); Nov 1 – Mar 3 (females

Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (males) exclusive of County Kerry; Nov 1 – Feb 29 (females)

 

Fallow deer buck

Fallow deer buck

Fallow deer

Northern Ireland: Aug 1 – Apr 30 (males); Nov 1 – Mar 31 (females)

Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (males) exclusive of County Kerry; Nov 1 – Feb 29 (females)

Male sika deer

Male sika deer

Sika deer

Northern Ireland: Aug 1 – Apr 30 (males); Nov 1 – Mar 31 (females)

Republic of Ireland: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (males); Nov 1 – Feb 28/29 (females

Roebucks

Roe deer

Northern Ireland: Apr 1 – Oct 31 (males); Nov 1 – Mar 31 (females)