Open Seasons Orders (Birds)
Wild game birds may be hunted at certain times of the year. The full list of species types which may be hunted is provided in the Table below. There are certain areas throughout the country where the hunting of these game birds is not permitted. These exclusion zones or Wildfowl Sanctuaries as they are more commonly referred are at 68 different locations throughout the state.
The Wildlife (Wild Birds) (Open Seasons) (Amendment (S.I. No. 421 of 2023) can be found at the link.
|
Wild Birds |
Open Season |
Places in the State |
|---|---|---|
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
|
Red Grouse |
The period beginning 1 September in each year and ending on 30 September in the same year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Mallard Teal Gadwall Wigeon Shoveler Tufted Duck Golden Plover Snipe Jack Snipe |
The period beginning 1 September in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Red-legged Partridge |
The period beginning 1 November in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Cock Pheasant Woodcock |
The period beginning 1 November in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Woodpigeon |
The period beginning 1 November in each year and ending on 31 January immediately following that year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Canada Goose |
The period beginning 1 September in each year and ending on 15 October in the same year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Canada Goose |
The period beginning 16 October in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year. |
The counties of Cavan (exclusive of the townlands of Eonish Island, Rinn, Deramfield) and Leitrim (exclusive of the River Shannon). |
|
Greylag Goose |
The period beginning 1 September in each year and ending on 15 October in the same year. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Greylag Goose |
The period beginning 16 October in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year. |
Lady's Island, in the county of Wexford Gearagh East & Gearagh West, in the county of Cork. |
|
Ruddy Duck |
The period beginning 1 September in each year and ending on 31 January in the year immediately following that year.
|
Throughout the Stat |
Certain wild mammals, including some deer species and hares, may be hunted at certain times of the year. The full list of species types which may be hunted, including locations, is provided in the Table below. There are certain areas throughout the country where the hunting of these species is not permitted. Only the manner of hunting described in the table below is allowed. Deer Hunters must be in possession of a valid Deer Hunting Licence. Further details are available in the Wildlife (Wild Mammals) (Open Seasons) (Amendment) Order 2024 (S.I. No 66 of 2024).
|
Species of Wild Mammal |
Hunting Period |
Manner of Hunting |
Places in the State |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Male Fallow Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of August in each year and ending on the 30th day of April in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Female and Antlerless Fallow Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of November in each year and ending on the 31st day of March in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Male Sika Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of August in each year and ending on the 30th day of April in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Female and Antlerless Sika Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of November in each year and ending on the 31st day of March in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State. |
|
Male Red Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of August in each year and ending on the 30th day of April in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State exclusive of the county of Kerry. |
|
Female and Antlerless Red Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of November in each year and ending on the 31st day of March in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms. |
Throughout the State exclusive of the county of Kerry. |
|
Hares |
The period beginning on the 26th day of September in each year and ending on the 28th day of February in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms; coursing at regulated coursing matches; hunting with packs of beagles and harriers. |
Throughout the state exclusive of the townlands of North East Slob, North West Slob, Big Island, Beggerin Island and The Raven, in the county of Wexford. |
|
Muntjac Deer |
The period beginning on the 1st day of September in each year and ending on the 31st day of August in the year immediately following that year. |
Shooting with firearms |
Throughout the State. |