Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024

A person must not use a dog when hunting, taking or destroying game birds.

Subregulation (1) does not apply to a person who, when hunting, taking or destroying game birds during an open season for game birds, uses—

gundogs to locate, flush, point or retrieve game birds; or

gundogs in any field trials conducted by an organisation approved by the Game Management Authority.

Subregulation (1) does not apply to a person who, when hunting, taking or destroying game birds during a close season for game birds—

uses gundogs being trained to locate, point or flush game birds; and

ensures that any person accompanying the gundogs being trained—

is not carrying or using any firearm other than a starter's pistol or a shotgun with blank ammunition; and

is not in possession of any cartridge ammunition.

Subregulation (1) does not apply to a person who, when using, hunting, taking or destroying game birds during an open season for game birds, uses a dog that is not a gundog under and in accordance with a written permission from the Game Management Authority.

Subregulation (1) does not apply to a person who is—

carrying out an activity in accordance with an Order made under section 7A of the Act; or

carrying out an activity in accordance with an authorisation given under section 28A of the Act; or

carrying out an activity in accordance with an authorisation order.

A person must not cause or permit a dog to be used when hunting, taking or destroying game birds.

Subregulation (6) does not apply to a person who, when hunting, taking or destroying game birds during an open season for game birds, causes or permits—

gundogs to be used to locate, flush, point or retrieve game birds; or

gundogs to be used in any field trials conducted by an organisation approved by the Game Management Authority.

Subregulation (6) does not apply to a person who, when hunting, taking or destroying game birds during a close season for game birds—

causes or permits gundogs to be trained to locate, point or flush game birds; and

ensures that any person accompanying the gundogs being trained—

is not carrying or using any firearm other than a starter's pistol or a shotgun with blank ammunition; and

is not in possession of any cartridge ammunition.

Subregulation (6) does not apply to a person who, when using, hunting, taking or destroying game birds during an open season for game birds, causes or permits a dog that is not a gundog to be used under and in accordance with a written permission from the Game Management Authority.

Subregulation (6) does not apply to a person who is—

carrying out an activity in accordance with an Order made under section 7A of the Act; or

carrying out an activity in accordance with an authorisation given under section 28A of the Act; or

carrying out an activity in accordance with an authorisation order.

For the purposes of subregulations (2)(b) and (7)(b), the Game Management Authority may approve an organisation to conduct field trials for gundogs.