Hunting and fishing in Scotland

You usually need permission before you fish, hunt or shoot in Scotland. What permission you need depends on:

• where you are – for example, inland water, the sea, private land or a protected site

• what you want to catch or shoot

• the method or equipment you use – for example, a gun, air weapon, dogs or trap.

You could be committing a criminal offence if you fish, hunt or shoot without the right permission or license.

Fishing

Your fishing rights depend on whether you’re fishing in inland waters or the sea.

There are special rules about fishing for salmon and sea trout.

Fishing for salmon and sea trout

You need the legal right or written permission to fish for salmon or sea trout anywhere in Scotland, including the sea.

You also need to follow conservation rules. For example, in some places you must return salmon or sea trout to the water. The rules can change each year. You can read more about the salmon conservation rules on the Scottish government website.

Sea fishing

You do not usually need permission to fish recreationally for ordinary sea fish from the foreshore or in the sea. You’re allowed to catch a small number of fish for your own consumption. You’re not allowed to sell anything you catch for profit.

There can be some restrictions depending on the species you target. For example, there are daily catch limits for shellfish. You can find the list of daily catch limits for shellfish on the Scottish government website.

Fishing in inland waters

You usually need permission or a permit from the person who holds the fishing rights to fish in inland waters. Inland waters include:

• rivers

• streams

• canals

• lochs.

The person who holds the fishing rights might not be the same person who owns the land beside the water. Fishing rights can be owned, leased or sold separately from the land.

If you fish without permission, the rights holder might be able to take civil action against you. Fishing in inland waters without permission might also be a criminal offence in some places – for example, if the water is covered by a protection order or some in some private lochs.

If a river runs between land owned by 2 different people, each owner might have fishing rights for part of the river. You should check who can give permission before fishing.

You can contact your local District Salmon Fisheries Board or river and fisheries trust to check the rules in your area. You can find contact details on the Fisheries Management Scotland website.

Hunting and shooting

You must have permission before hunting or shooting on land. This is usually permission from the landowner or the person who holds the sporting rights. You might also need:

• a firearm, shotgun or air weapon certificate – if you’re using a gun or air weapon

• a species license or authorisation – for some protected species or activities

• to follow close seasons – for example, for some deer or birds

• to follow land licensing rules – for example, for red grouse shooting on some land.

Wildlife law depends and the rules can change. You should check the rules before hunting or shooting. If you’re not sure about which rules might apply, you can contact NatureScot on their website.

Using firearms, shotguns and air weapons

You need to have a license to own a firearm, shotgun or air weapon. You can find out about firearm, shotgun and air weapons licenses on mygov.scot.

Shooting deer

Deer are regulated separately from other wildlife.

There’s no close season for male deer in Scotland. Female deer still have close seasons.

You’ll usually need permission from the landowner or occupier before shooting deer.

You can read NatureScot’s wild deer best practice guidance on their Best Practice Guides website.

Hunting with dogs

It’s illegal to hunt a wild mammal using a dog unless you have a legal exception. This rule does not include mice and rats.

It can also be an offence to knowingly cause or allow someone else to hunt a wild mammal using a dog, unless an exception applies. This could include a landowner or occupier who lets someone hunt illegally on their land.

Trail hunting is also illegal unless a specific exception applies. Trail hunting means using a dog to find and follow an animal-based scent.

You can read more about when you're allowed to hunt with dogs on the NatureScot website.

Poaching and wildlife crime

Poaching means taking, killing or pursuing fish, deer or other game without permission, or using an unlawful method.

There's not one single poaching offence that covers every situation. The rules are different depending on what was taken, where it happened and how it happened.

If you’re accused of poaching, you should get legal advice.

If you suspect poaching or another wildlife crime, you can report it to the police. You can read more about what to do about wildlife crime on the Police Scotland website.

Snares

Snares and other cable restraints are banned in Scotland. It is illegal to use a snare or sable restraint to kill or trap a wild animal.

Selling wild game, venison, birds or fish

The rules about selling game depends on what you’re selling and how it enters the food chain. For example:

• wild game for food – food hygiene, traceability and registration rules might apply

• venison – you'll usually need a venison dealer’s licence from your local council

• wild birds – sale can be restricted under wildlife law

• salmon and freshwater fish – extra rules might apply depending on how and where the fish were taken.

You should contact your local council’s environmental health or licensing team to check the rules. You can find your local council on mygov.scot.

You can also find guidance about wild game and food safety rules on the Food Standards Scotland website.