What to hunt in England in autumn?

Autumn hunting is a particular activity that everyone should try. It allows you to shoot animals and enjoy the beauty of the transformed trees, breathe in the cool air, listen to the sounds of nature and watch how everything around you gradually prepares for winter. The best place to do this type of hunting is in England. This part of the UK is known for its ancient forests and the diversity of fauna that live in them. The hunting season for the most popular game is open throughout the autumn, so every hunter will have time to get their trophy. We invite you to get to know the best-hunted animals between the beginning of September and the end of November.

Red Deer

There are no more giant mammals on land in England than red deer. This fantastic animal often becomes the main target of local hunters and foreigners who come to Foggy Albion. Red deer stand out with huge antlers, which can be about 1 meter high and wide. Another characteristic feature of the species is the reddish-brown fur, which becomes darker as winter approaches. This type of deer lives mainly in the forests of England. However, they can sometimes be found in open areas (for example, in meadows). It is best to track down animals using daytime optics and night vision devices. They often blend into the surrounding background, so detecting them without additional equipment will be difficult. The hunting season for male red deer begins on August 1 and ends on April 30 of the following year. The permitted period for shooting females is November 1 – March 31.

Roe Deer

The closest relatives of red deer, roe deer, are popular among hunters. They are considered the smallest species of deer in England, so hunting them is always tricky and exciting. The main feature of this species is that females do not have antlers. At the beginning of autumn, they have reddish-brown fur. It gradually fades and acquires a grayish tint. Males are slightly darker. They also have small, straight antlers. Roe deer are common throughout England. They can be found in forests and open areas. These animals often come close to agricultural land and frequently encounter people. Hunting for male roe deer in England is allowed from April 1 to October 31. At the same time, it is legal to shoot females from November 1 to March 31.

Fallow Deer

This species of deer is often found in England. It is characterized by not being very large, so it is inferior to red deer in this respect. At the same time, the fallow deer is ahead of the roe deer in size and is a more attractive target for hunters. The appearance of representatives of this species depends on their habitat. The color of the fur varies from light brown to black. Antlers are a mandatory attribute of males. However, females do not have them. Fallow deer can be found in almost any forest in England. They prefer to settle in places with much food and reliable shelter from predators. Fallow deer also enter agricultural areas or live near them. The hunting season for males of these animals is open from August 1 to April 30 and for females – from November 1 to March 31.

Wild Boar

In many European countries, wild boars are a favorite trophy for hunters. In England, these animals live in huge numbers and are considered natural pests. They cause damage to agriculture, and their activities put some species of wild plants on the brink of extinction. Wild boars are large, have short legs and an easily recognizable appearance. Their thick fur is dark brown, which does not change throughout the year. Males differ from females by the presence of fangs, which they use for fighting during the mating season and for digging the ground. There are so many wild boars in England that they can be found everywhere, from small plantings to huge ancient forests. Because this species is considered a pest, it can be hunted all year round without any restrictions.

Rabbit

Among small mammals, rabbits are the most popular prey in England. They are easily recognizable due to their long ears and ability to move across terrain quickly. Rabbits most often choose open areas with dense and tall vegetation. They also usually settle in meadows and woodlands. You need to look for them where you can easily hide from predators and find enough food (plant food). Rabbits are incredibly hardy animals. They are in good health and reproduce very quickly. Combining all these factors makes their species numerous in all parts of England. In this regard, the rabbit hunting season lasts 365 days a year. At the same time, in some places (for example, in protected areas), certain restrictions on hunting time and the number of individuals caught may apply. In this regard, hunters must carefully study the rules in force for a particular location.

Fox

Fox hunting in England is a particular activity. It appeared many years ago and became a cult in this part of Great Britain. Today, this type of hunting is very different from what was used before. Dogs do not participate in it, so all the work must be done by a person. Foxes are very cautious animals. Despite their bright orange fur and the presence of a large fluffy tail, it is always tough to find them. They live mainly in forests and near agricultural lands.

In some cases, they can even be found within the city limits. Fox hunting in England is only possible from the end of October to the beginning of April. Currently, the animals are most active and are not busy breeding offspring.

Pheasant

Among all the birds that live in England, pheasants are the most popular among hunters. Large birds spend most of their time on the ground looking for food. Males are very different from females in their appearance. They have multi-colored plumage and a very long tail. At the same time, females are light brown, which blends well with dry grass or tree branches. In England, pheasants are often found in forests and near agricultural lands. They settle near a pond and look for places with a lot of food (berries, seeds, etc.). There are pheasants in special reserves, where they are bred for hunting. In England, the hunting season for these birds opens on October 1. It lasts four long months and closes on February 1 of the following year.

Partridge

Partridges are especially prized by foreigners and hunters from England. There are many species in the country, but only two are suitable for hunting. The first of them is the grey partridge. They are relatively small in size and have grey or light brown plumage. These partridges live in open areas (for example, meadows and fields), and hunting is permitted from September 1 to February 1. The second species is called the red-legged partridge. It is similar to the species described above but differs from it in the bright red color of its legs. These partridges make unique sounds, so finding them will be pretty straightforward. They most often settle in meadows and fields. Shooting these birds in England is permitted from the beginning of September to the end of January.

Grouse

In autumn, the characteristic cry of black grouse is always heard in English forests. These amazing birds are a tangible symbol of hunting this time of year, so every self-respecting hunter dreams of getting such a trophy. Red and black grouse live in England. They differ from each other not only in the color of their feathers but also in size. More minor red grouse usually settle in heather wastelands. Their larger flocks also prefer such locations but often appear in forests. There, they choose small open areas near a food source. The hunting seasons for these birds are approximately the same. The only difference is that you can start shooting red grouses on August 12 and black grouses on August 20 or September 1 (in some forests). The end of the season is December 10.

Woodcock

Woodcocks have always been a famous game bird in England. These tiny birds with long beaks and light brown plumage are perfectly camouflaged in woodlands and wetlands. It is in these places that hunters should look for woodcocks. In some cases, these birds appear close to human habitation, but this only happens when houses are located near some water. You can hunt woodcocks in England from October 1 to January 31. At other times, shooting at these birds will be considered poaching.

England is one of the best places in Europe for hunting. This part of the UK is home to many animals and birds that can become a priority target for a hunter. All these species do not have problems with their population so that you can hunt them throughout most of the autumn. This activity will help you get a good trophy and fully enjoy the beauty of autumn nature.