ASK THE EXPERTS

Sporting Rifle’s Experts

Foxing: Mike Powell

Professional gamekeeper and foxing expert

Optics: Chris Parkin

Target sports journalist and optics reviewer

Legal: David Barrington Barnes

Solicitor turned specialist firearms law advisor

LEGAL

Q May I shoot deer in their close season for crop protection purposes?

A David says: The 1991 Deer Act allows for the culling of deer in their close season in limited circumstances such as where deer of the same species have caused damage to crops and growing timber and it is likely that they may cause further serious damage. So, for example, serious damage to a crop of wheat by fallow deer does not authorise the shooting of red or roe deer. Further, the authority would not continue after the crop has been harvested as further damage to that crop could no longer occur.

Deer legal rifles should be used for this culling but the Act allows exceptions under which an authorised person can use a 12 gauge or heavier