Q: I would like to try my hand at hunting, but only on the condition that I, or someone else, eats what I kill. I am aware that first of all I'd need to get all the required licenses and permits. But when this is done, what are some good animals to hunt that also make good eating? Is there anything that can be hunted that can't be eaten (poisonous meat or a foul taste)? Also, as a beginner, I have no idea how to skin and prepare an animal for the table. What is the best way to learn, can I do it alone or is it best to have an experienced tutor? Thanks.
A: Below are the legal species for the UK with their seasons. Please feel free to add rabbit and wood pigeon which make good eating. They have no close season. GAME SHOOTING SEASONS England, Scotland and Wales Pheasant: Oct 1 - Feb 1 Partridge: Sept 1 - Feb 1 Grouse: Aug 12 - Dec 10 Ptarmigan: Aug 12 - Dec 10 Blackgrouse: Aug 20 - Dec 10 Snipe: Aug 12 - Jan 31 Jack Snipe: protected Woodcock: Oct 1 - Jan 31 Woodcock (Scotland): Sept 1 - Jan 31 Duck & Goose (inland): Sept 1 - Jan 31 Duck & Goose (below high water mark): Sept 1 - Feb 20 Coot/Moorhen: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Golden Plover: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Curlew: protected Hare: cannot be sold March to July Northern Ireland Pheasant: Oct 1 - Jan 31 Partridge: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Grouse: Aug 12 - Nov 30 Ptarmigan: -------- Blackgrouse: -------- Snipe: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Jack Snipe: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Woodcock: Oct 1 - Jan 31 Woodcock (Scotland): -------- Duck & Goose (inland): Sept 1 - Jan 31 Duck & Goose (below high water mark): Sept 1 - Jan 31 Coot/Moorhen: protected Golden Plover: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Curlew: Sept 1 - Jan 31 Hare: Aug 12 - Jan 31 DEER STALKING SEASONS England, Wales, Northern Ireland Red stags: Aug 1 - April 30 Red hinds: Nov 1 - Feb 28/29 Fallow bucks: Aug 1 - April 30 Fallow does: Nov 1 - Feb 28/29 Sika stags: Aug 1 - April 30 Sika hinds: Nov 1 - Feb 28/29 Roe bucks: April 1 - Oct 31 Roe does: Nov 1 - Feb 28/29 Red/Sika Hybrids (NI only) Stags: Aug 1 - April 30 Hinds: Nov 1 - Feb 28/29 Chinese Water Deer: no statutory close season Muntjac: no statutory close season Scotland Red stags: July 1 - Oct 20 Red hinds: Oct 21 - Feb 15 Fallow bucks: Aug 1 - April 30 Fallow does: Oct 21 - Feb 15 Sika stags: July 1 - Oct 20 Sika hinds: Oct 21 - Feb 15 Roe bucks: April 1 - Oct 20 Roe does: Oct 21 - Mar 31 Red/Sika hybrids (NI only) Stags: July 1 - Oct 20 Hinds: Oct 21 - Feb 15 You no longer need a game licence in England and Wales. You do in Scotland. Not sure about Northern Ireland.
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