Game licences are still required in Scotland

•The legislation relating to the shooting and dealing in game (“game” covers hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game and black game) dates back to the 19th Century – the principal Acts being the Game Act 1831 and the Game licences Act 1860.

•In addition to removing various requirements and restrictions, the Regulatory Reform Order will introduce a new criminal offence to sell game birds which have been unlawfully killed or taken where the person concerned knew or had reason to believe that they were so killed or taken. The new offence is necessary to maintain the protection afforded to game birds during the close season whilst allowing the sale of game lawfully taken during the open season to be sold all year round.

•Protections for wildlife during close seasons are not linked to the requirement for a game licence and these protections would be retained. Penalties for poaching game and shooting it outside the relevant open season and trespassing in search of game will be retained.