Legality of shooting deer out of season

[Magnificent 7]

Anyone shed any light on the legality of it all.As far as I understand it can be done for crop protection or welfare but all other avenues tried first.Then you have to have written landowners permission to carry out said culling.You can't just quote the deer act and carry on as normal.Whats you folks take on this please.Ps I'm not planning on doing such a thing just something I've heard of that tbh I find distasteful.

 

[lochty]

Up here, it's specified very clearly in the general licence. So if it's outside that, don't do it. Btw I don't like it either, but sometimes it's necessary.

 

[Magnificent 7]

Up here, it's specified very clearly in the general licence. So if it's outside that, don't do it. Btw I don't like it either, but sometimes it's necessary.

Totally agree in a management situation but for a leisure stalker protecting a few flowers ?

 

[Utectok]

Up here, it's specified very clearly in the general licence. So if it's outside that, don't do it. Btw I don't like it either, but sometimes it's necessary.

Aye you need snh permission on the ground and list stalkers who must have snh fit and comp.

 

[bogtrotter]

Aye you need snh permission on the ground and list stalkers who must have snh fit and comp.

Yes in Scotland, With the changes that are going to be happening with Deer legislation up here I thing its probably
only a matter of time before anyone who stalks unaccompanied will need to be on the fit and competant register.

 

[lochty]

Totally agree in a management situation but for a leisure stalker protecting a few flowers ?

Only ever done it with forestry management. For flowers, wire netting.

 

[StephenToast]

I think you are talking about section 7 of the deer act.

From what I understand it is a defense so you risk explaining your actions in court if you decide to undertake out of season shooting.

I don't find anything distasteful about genuine crop protection. People happily blat away at pigeons through the year when they will be breeding. Shoot milky rabbits etc etc. Deer are no different to any other pest species.

 

[Utectok]

Yes in Scotland, With the changes that are going to be happening with Deer legislation up here I thing its probably
only a matter of time before anyone who stalks unaccompanied will need to be on the fit and competant register.

Aye and probably DSC1-2 as proof to get onto fit and comp reg as at the moment it’s only a couple of references

 

[shakey jake]

my understanding is the deer have to be doing the damage at the time, you cant shoot fallow in the wood next to the field of beans, if that makes sense. i think its a bit of a mine field, you probably want a paper trail and photos as back up should you need it, and only tell the farmer.
a chicken farm i managed had a large familly of roe, 9 by the farmers count. big buck, two young buck and does flattening is 1.5m electric fence to graze the grass and eat the trees in his enclosure. wanted them all shooting in about june. not something i really wanted to do. if he chased them out they would be back inside by morning with more damage. luckily one id shot the two young bucks in view of the big one they took the hint. no more damage, no stress and no one upset

 

[Essex stalker]

I think you will also find that many of the things that are mentioned such as the deer doing damage etc are defences in law they don't make it legal

 

[Heym SR20]

You should have a read of the Deer Acts that are in force in your part of the UK. Basically all animals and birds are protected and it is an offence to harm or kill them. There are certain exceptions.

Here is the Deer Act for England and Wales - Deer Act 1991

And for Scotland - Deer (Scotland) Act 1996

Anybody who stalks deer should have a knowledge of the Acts that in force and what you can and cannot do. Ignorance is no excuse. And read the Acts yourself and don't rely on the views of others. With things shooting deer for crop protection, and deer that a wounded you will see that you still committing an offenc, but there is a defence for these purposes. In other words you can still be prosecuted, but if you can demonstrate the defence you won't be found guilty. That is very different from being you can do this.