Game Act 1831

The Game Act 1831 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom which was passed in order to protect game birds by establishing a close season when they could not be legally taken. The act also established the need for game licenses and the appointing of gamekeepers. The act still covers the protection of game birds to this day.

Game covered by the Game Acts

The Game Act designated certain species as game birds, and their open season (when they may be shot):

* Red Grouse ("Moor Game"), 12 August - 10 December
* Black Grouse ("Black Game"), 20 August - 10 December
* Pheasant, 1 October - 1 February
* Partridge, 1 September - 1 February

As well as adhering to the seasons, game may not be taken on Sundays or Christmas Day.

Interestingly, the Great Bustard was protected under this act, with its open season decided as 1 September - 1 March. This protection was little use however, as the Great Bustard became extinct in Great Britain in the 1830s. It is currently part of a reintroduction program.

Capercaillie are not protected in this act as they were extinct in Britain at the time. They were reintroduced to Scotland in 1837.`

Brown Hares are also protected under this act but have no closed season.

Game Licences

The act made it lawful to take game only with the provision of a game licence. Also, to deal in game the act made an excise licence necessary. [http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/game-licences.htm] The Game Licence is to be abolished on 1 August 2007, as well as the need for game dealers licences and the law changed to make selling game year round legal. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/07/13/eagame113.xml]

Gamekeepers

The act listed requirements on the appointment of gamekeepers, and the issuing of a gamekeepers licence on an estate.

Other Birds

Although not included in this act, a game licence was required to shoot Woodcock and Common Snipe until 1 August 2007. Wildfowl are protected and their close seasons stated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

External links

* [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/legResults.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=Game+Act&Year=1831&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&TYPE=QS&NavFrom=0&activeTextDocId=1032098&PageNumber=1&SortAlpha=0 Game Act 1831]
* [http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/gamebird.htm Defra Game Birds]