Deer

Certain species of wild mammals are protected under their own legal provisions.

 

In Great Britain, legislation prohibits the taking or killing of deer listed on the appropriate Schedule during the close season for that species, unless it is done for the purpose of preventing the suffering of an injured, or diseased, deer or to prevent damage to crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, or any other property of land. These actions can only be carried out by authorised persons or by persons who have the consent of the landowner or occupier to enter the land. The taking or killing of deer in the first hour after sunset and the last hour before sunrise is prohibited, as are certain methods of taking or killing, these include the use of traps, snares, poison and stupefying bait or nets. Certain weapons for the killing or taking of deer are prohibited, namely arrows, spears or any firearm or ammunition listed in the appropriate Schedule. A person will not have committed an offence if the weapon is used to prevent the suffering of an injured or diseased deer. The acts prohibited by the legislation can be authorised by a licence issued by the appropriate authority. The appropriate Minister may, by Order, amend the Schedules as he considers necessary. The legislation affording protection to deer in Northern Ireland is very similar to the legislation in Great Britain, and provides additional protection for certain species listed on the appropriate Schedules.