Hunts in England
Hunt with our Friends - Hunts in England
Are you looking for species not available with our BC guided hunts? Hunt with our friends in England.
Hunts in England offer a rich tapestry of traditions and opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes and carefully managed estates, England provides a unique hunting experience that combines centuries-old practices with modern conservation efforts.
Deer stalking remains a cornerstone of English hunting culture. The country boasts an impressive variety of deer species, including native red deer and roe deer, as well as introduced species like fallow deer, sika deer, muntjac, and Chinese water deer. This diversity offers hunters a range of challenges and experiences, from pursuing majestic stags in the highlands to stalking elusive muntjac in lowland forests.
Bird shooting is another integral part of England’s hunting heritage. Driven shoots for pheasants and partridges on managed estates are renowned for their efficiency and spectacle, often producing impressive bags. For those seeking a more traditional experience, rough shooting provides an opportunity to walk-up game with trained dogs, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape.
England’s waterfowl hunting along its coastlines and wetlands attracts enthusiasts from around the world. The challenging conditions and diverse species, including various ducks and geese, make for an exhilarating hunting adventure.
Conservation plays a crucial role in English hunting practices. Most hunting takes place on large estates that are intensively managed to maintain healthy wildlife populations and balanced ecosystems. This approach ensures sustainable hunting opportunities while preserving biodiversity.
The Deer Act 1991 and other regulations govern hunting practices, setting specific seasons and methods for different species. These laws, combined with ethical hunting practices, help maintain healthy deer populations while providing hunting opportunities.
From the rolling hills of the countryside to the rugged coastlines, England’s hunting landscape offers something for every hunter. Whether you’re pursuing deer in ancient woodlands or participating in a traditional driven shoot, hunting in England provides a unique blend of history, sport, and conservation.
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Red Stag Hunt
The majestic Red Stag is England’s largest native land mammal and a prized big game species for hunters looking for hunts in England. These impressive animals offer a challenging and rewarding hunting experience in diverse landscapes.
Specs: Males (stags) weigh 200-400 lbs, while females (hinds) weigh 140-260 lbs. Stags grow impressive antlers that are shed annually.
Size: Stags stand 40-54 inches tall at the shoulder, with body lengths of 69-100 inches. Hinds are slightly smaller, reaching heights of 40-48 inches.
Season: The main hunting season runs from August to April, with specific periods for stags and hinds.
Locations: Red deer are found throughout England, with notable populations in the southwest, East Anglia, and the Lake District.
About the hunt: Stalking is the primary hunting method, requiring stealth, patience, and good marksmanship. Hunters often use high seats for a better vantage point.
Behaviours: Red deer are social animals, forming herds led by dominant females. They are active throughout the day and night, with peak activity during dawn and dusk.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet varies seasonally, with more browsing in winter and grazing in summer. They feed on grasses, sedges, rushes, and woody plants.
Management: Red deer populations are carefully managed to maintain ecological balance. Sustainable hunting practices and habitat conservation efforts ensure healthy populations while providing quality hunting opportunities.
Fallow Deer Hunt
The elegant Fallow Deer is a popular game species for hunts in England, known for its distinctive palmate antlers and spotted coat. These deer offer an exciting hunt in diverse habitats across the country.
Specs: Bucks weigh 130-220 pounds, while does weigh 66-110 pounds. Bucks grow impressive palmate antlers that are shed annually.
Size: Shoulder height ranges from 2ft6-3 ft4, with a body length of 4ft6-5ft6.
Season: The hunting season for bucks typically runs from September to December, while does can be hunted from October 21st to March 31st.
Locations: Fallow deer are found throughout England, particularly in deciduous or mixed woodlands.
About the hunt: Popular hunting methods include spot-and-stalk, calling during the rut, and hunting from high seats. Fallow deer can be active during the day, making them accessible to hunters.
Behaviours: Fallow deer are social animals that form groups, often of related individuals. They establish home ranges and prefer habitats with a mix of woodlands and agricultural land.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists mainly of grasses, herbs, and tree shoots. Food intake is higher in spring and lower in winter due to scarcity.
Management: Population management includes culling to prevent overpopulation and damage to crops. Regulations govern hunting practices to ensure sustainable harvests and maintain healthy deer populations.
Roe Deer Hunt
The Roe Deer is one of England’s most widespread and beloved game species, offering excellent opportunities for both novice and experienced hunters looking for hunts in England. These small, graceful deer provide a challenging and rewarding hunt.
Specs: Adults weigh 22-77 lbs. Bucks grow small, typically six-point antlers that are shed annually.
Size: Shoulder height ranges from 24-26 inches, with a body length of 37-53 inches.
Season: The hunting season for bucks runs from April 1st to October 31st, while does can be hunted from November 1st to March 31st.
Locations: Roe deer are found throughout England in woodlands, farmlands, and grassy meadows.
About the hunt: Stalking is the primary hunting method, requiring stealth and patience. Hunters often use binoculars to spot these elusive animals in their habitat.
Behaviours: Roe deer are typically solitary or found in small family groups. They are most active during dawn and dusk, and become more social during the rutting season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet primarily consists of leaves, stems, and woody plants. Food intake increases in spring and summer to prepare for the rut and winter.
Management: Roe deer are managed under the Deer Act 1991. Conservation efforts focus on balancing deer populations with environmental needs while providing sustainable hunting opportunities.
Muntjac Deer Hunt
The Muntjac Deer, also known as the barking deer, is unique for hunts in England. These small, introduced deer species present a challenging pursuit for hunters seeking something different.
Specs: Muntjacs are stocky deer weighing 22-40 lbs for males and 20-35 lbs for females. Males have short antlers and prominent canine teeth.
Size: They stand 17-20 in tall at the shoulder, with a body length of 23-62 in.
Season: Muntjac can be hunted year-round in England, as they have no closed season due to their invasive nature.
Locations: They are commonly found in areas with fields, small forests, hedgerows, and small streams across southern and central England.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include stalking and shooting. Muntjacs are known to be elusive and challenging to hunt, requiring patience and stealth.
Behaviours: Muntjacs typically live solitarily or in small family groups. They emit a loud bark when alarmed and can be aggressive during the rut.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes fresh tree shoots, leaves, nuts, berries, acorns, and fungi, which varies with the seasons. Muntjacs do not migrate and tend to stay in the same area year-round.
Management: As an invasive species, muntjac deer can be culled all year round. Management practices focus on controlling their population to minimize ecological impact while providing hunting opportunities.
Sika Deer Hunt
The Sika Deer, an introduced species from Asia, has become a popular game animal for hunts in England, offering hunters a unique and challenging pursuit.
Specs: Weight ranges from 55-245 lb. Males grow impressive antlers that are shed annually.
Size: Shoulder height varies from 2ft2in-3ft7in, with body lengths of 3ft5in-5ft1in.
Season: The hunting season for stags typically runs from August 1st to April 30th, while hinds can be hunted from November 1st to March 31st.
Locations: Sika deer are commonly hunted in Dorset and other areas where they have established populations.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include stalking and the use of blinds. Sika deer are known for their elusive nature, making the hunt challenging and exciting.
Behaviours: Sika deer are primarily crepuscular, being most active during dawn and dusk. Males are often solitary outside of the breeding season, while social behaviors vary with the seasons.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes marsh vegetation, grasses, and agricultural crops. Sika deer adapt well to seasonal changes in food availability.
Management: Population management is crucial due to potential ecological impacts. Sika deer are regulated under the Deer Act 1991, with sustainable practices in place to control numbers while providing hunting opportunities.
Chinese Water Deer Hunt
The Chinese Water Deer is a unique experience for hunts in England, being one of the few deer species without antlers. These small, introduced deer present an interesting challenge for hunters.
Specs: Adults weigh 17-33 lbs. Males have prominent tusks instead of antlers, giving them a distinctive appearance.
Size: Shoulder height ranges from 19-21 in, with a body length of 30-40 in.
Season: Chinese water deer can be hunted year-round in England, as they are considered an invasive species.
Locations: They are primarily found in the Fens, Norfolk Broads, and western Bedfordshire.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include stalking and driven hunts. Their elusive behaviour and small size make them challenging to hunt.
Behaviours: Chinese water deer are solitary and territorial. Males mark their territory with urine and feces, especially during the breeding season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists mainly of herbs, grasses, and young shoots. They are highly selective feeders and do not typically migrate seasonally.
Management: Considered an invasive species, Chinese water deer are managed under standard deer management techniques. Hunting regulations aim to control populations while providing opportunities for hunters.
Wild Boar Hunt
The Wild Boar, reintroduced to England in recent decades, has become an increasingly popular game animal for hunts in England where hunters are seeking a challenging and potentially dangerous quarry.
Specs: Adult males can weigh over 220 lbs, with females being slightly smaller. They have a distinctive bristly coat and sharp tusks.
Size: Shoulder height ranges from 21-43 in, with a body length of up to 5 ft.
Season: Wild boar can be hunted year-round in England, as they are considered a non-native species.
Locations: The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a prime location for wild boar hunting, though populations exist in other parts of southern England.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include stalking, driven hunts, and night hunting with proper permits. Hunters must be cautious, as wounded boars can be dangerous.
Behaviours: Wild boars are primarily nocturnal and highly social, living in groups called sounders. They’re known for their rooting behavior, which can cause significant agricultural damage.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Omnivorous, feeding on roots, tubers, acorns, and small animals. Their range may expand in search of food, especially in autumn.
Management: Due to their potential for crop damage and rapid population growth, wild boar management often focuses on population control. Hunting regulations aim to balance ecological impact with hunting opportunities.
Pheasant Hunt
The Pheasant is one of the most popular game birds for hunts in England, offering exciting shooting opportunities and a longstanding hunting tradition.
Specs: Males weigh 2 1/2 lbs on average, while females average 2 lbs. Males have distinctive, colorful plumage.
Size: Body length ranges from 27-35 in, with a wingspan of 22-33 in.
Season: The pheasant shooting season runs from October 1st to February 1st in England and Wales.
Locations: Pheasants are hunted throughout England, with many estates offering organized shoots.
About the hunt: Pheasant shooting is often conducted as driven shoots, where birds are flushed towards a line of guns. Walking up and rough shooting are also popular methods.
Behaviors: Pheasants are social birds that live in flocks, typically led by a dominant male. They prefer to run rather than fly unless startled.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet changes seasonally, consisting primarily of seeds and grains in winter, and more insects and fresh greenery in spring and summer.
Management: Pheasant populations are managed through regulated hunting and the release of hand-reared birds. Conservation practices aim to balance hunting pressure with maintaining healthy populations and habitats.
Partridge Hunt
Both the native Grey Partridge and the introduced Red-legged Partridge are popular game birds for hunts in England, offering challenging and exciting shooting opportunities.
Specs: Grey partridges weigh 3/4lbs – 1lb, while red-legged partridges are slightly larger.
Size: Both species have a length of 12 in and a wingspan of 18 in.
Season: The partridge shooting season runs from September 1st to February 1st in England and Wales.
Locations: Partridges are found in open fields and arable land, especially in the east of England and Scotland.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include driven shoots and walking up. Their small size and quick, low flight make them challenging targets.
Behaviours: Partridges forage in coveys and are known for being skittish. They form monogamous pairs during the breeding season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists primarily of seeds and greens, with young chicks relying heavily on insects initially. They typically remain in the same area year-round.
Management: Conservation efforts are in place due to significant population declines, especially for grey partridges. Hunting regulations ensure sustainability while providing shooting opportunities.
Mallard Duck Hunt
The Mallard Duck is a popular waterfowl species for hunts in England, offering exciting shooting opportunities in wetland environments.
Specs: Mallards weigh 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 lbs, with males being larger than females.
Size: They have a length of 19-25 in and a wingspan of 32-39 in.
Season: The duck hunting season runs from September 1st to January 31st, with an extension to February 20th below the high-water mark.
Locations: Mallards are found in wetlands, lakes, and rivers across England.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include using decoys and understanding duck behavior. Stealth and knowledge of their habits are crucial for success.
Behaviours: Mallards are social animals that display complex courtship behaviors. They can be tame in urban areas but wary in natural settings.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists mainly of aquatic plants and insects, changing seasonally. Breeding hens rely more on animal matter for egg production.
Management: Population management includes conservation efforts and habitat protection. Hunting regulations, such as the ban on lead shot, aim to ensure sustainable harvests while protecting wetland ecosystems.
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5% of every hunt goes towards
conservation initiatives in the Chilcotin Ark
