Two ring-necked pheasants

Game dealing

Game dealers in England and Wales

From 1 August 2007 you no longer have to hold a local authority licence or an excise licence in order to take, kill or deal in game.

Restrictions on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season no longer apply. This means that you will be allowed to sell game and venison all year round provided the animals in question were lawfully killed.

If you deal in game birds or venison, you should check your source before you either:

  • sell
  • advertise
  • transport for purposes of sale

This is because you could be committing an offence if you know or have reason to believe that the game bird or venison you offer for sale was unlawfully killed, taken or poached during the close season.

Game dealers in Scotland

A licence to kill or take game in Scotland is still required.  Game licences for Scotland can be obtained from main Post Offices in Scotland.

More information for game dealers and retailers (external link) is available from the Business Link website.


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