Game Act 1831

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The Game Act 1831 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom which was passed to protect game birds by establishing a close season when they could not be legally taken. The act also established the need for game licences and the appointing of gamekeepers. The act still covers the protection of game birds to this day.

Game covered by the Game Acts

The Game Act designated certain species as game birds, and their open season (when they may be shot):

Red Grouse (Moor Game), 12 August – 10 December
Black Grouse (Black Game), 20 August – 10 December
Pheasant, 1 October – 1 February
Partridge, 1 September – 1 February

As well as adhering to the seasons, game may not be taken on Sundays or Christmas Day.

Interestingly, the Great Bustard was protected under this act, with its open season decided as 1 September – 1 March. This protection was little use however, as the Great Bustard became extinct in Great Britain in the 1830s. It is currently part of a reintroduction program.

Capercaillie are not protected in this act as they were extinct in Britain at the time. They were reintroduced to Scotland in 1837.`

Brown Hares are also protected under this act but have no closed season, but the Hares Act prohibits the sale of hare in the breeding season.

Game licenses

The act made it lawful to take game only with the provision of a game licence. Also, to deal in game the act made an excise licence necessary.

The Game Act 1831 protects game birds in England and Wales

The Game Licence was abolished in England & Wales on 1 August 2007, as well as the need for game dealers licences and the law changed to make selling game, except hare, year round legal. In Scotland, it is still necessary to have a game licence to shoot game.

Gamekeepers

The act listed requirements on the appointment of gamekeepers, and the issuing of a gamekeepers licence on an estate.

Other birds

Although not included in this act, a game license was required to shoot Woodcock and Common Snipe until 1 August 2007. Wildfowl are protected and their close seasons stated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

External links

Defra Game Birds

UK Legislation

Official text of the Game Act 1831 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from the UK Statute Law Database

v t e Game animals and shooting in the United Kingdom

Game birds	Common Pheasant Grey Partridge Red-legged Partridge Red Grouse Rock Ptarmigan Black Grouse¹ Eurasian Woodcock Common Snipe

Quarry species	Mallard Teal Wood Pigeon Golden Plover Canada Goose Greylag Goose Pink-footed Goose Greater White-fronted Goose² Eurasian Wigeon Tufted Duck Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Gadwall Common Pochard Common Goldeneye Common Moorhen Eurasian Coot

Deer	Red Deer Roe Deer Fallow Deer Sika Deer Reeves's Muntjac Water Deer

Other quarry	European Hare Red Fox European Rabbit

Opponents	League Against Cruel Sports Animal Aid

Law	Game Act 1831 Hunting Act 2004

See also	British Association for Shooting and Conservation Hunting and shooting in the United Kingdom Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Countryside Alliance Glorious Twelfth Gamekeeper Deer stalking

¹ Rarely shot due to declining numbers. ² England and Wales only; protected Scotland.

v t e United Kingdom legislation

Pre-Parliamentary legislation	List of English statutes

Acts of Parliament by states preceding the Kingdom of Great Britain	Acts of the Parliament of England to 1483 1485–1601 1603–1641 Interregnum (1642–1660) 1660–1699 1700–1706 Acts of the Parliament of Scotland Acts of the Parliament of Ireland to 1700 1701–1800

Acts of Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain	1707–1719 1720–1739 1740–1759 1760–1779 1780–1800

Acts of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	1801–1819 1820–1839 1840–1859 1860–1879 1880–1899 1900–1919 1920–1939 1940–1959 1960–1979 1980–1999 2000 to date

Church of England Measures	List Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919

Legislation of devolved institutions	Acts of the Scottish Parliament Acts and Measures of the National Assembly for Wales Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland Orders in Council for Northern Ireland

Orders-in-Council	Orders-in-Council

Secondary legislation	United Kingdom Statutory Instruments Scottish Statutory Instruments Act of Sederunt, Act of Adjournal

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