Hunting and shooting wildlife
Mammals
There are different rules for foxes, deer and other mammals.
Foxes
It’s illegal to hunt foxes with a pack of dogs. You can use dogs to simulate hunting, for example ‘drag’ or ‘trail’ hunting.
You can use up to 2 dogs to chase (‘flush’ or ‘stalk’) foxes out of hiding if the fox is causing damage to your property or the environment.
Your dogs can’t go underground to find the foxes unless they’re threatening wild or game birds kept for shooting - only one dog can go underground at any time.
You must:
-
shoot the fox quickly after it’s been found
-
carry proof you own the land you’re shooting on or written permission from the landowner
You can be fined, and your dogs or hunting equipment taken away, if you break the law.
There are other ways you can control foxes if they’re causing damage to your property or the environment.
Deer
You must follow the restrictions on when you can shoot deer and what type of firearms and ammunition you can use.
You need a licence to shoot deer:
- in the closed season
- at night (at any time of the year)
You can’t use a vehicle to chase deer.
Other mammals
You can hunt or shoot some other mammals.
There are rules on when you can hunt or shoot and what equipment you can use.