Licensing
Deal in game (Game dealers)
A licence is required to take or kill game and to deal in game.
The Game Act 1831, deals with taking and trading in game without the appropriate licence.
This page only provides a brief overview of licensing requirements, so we recommend you consult the legislation which you can get from the Office of Public Sector Information or seek advice if you need to know the law in more detail.
Contact details for the Office of Public Sector Information
Office of Public Sector Information
St Clements House
2-16 Colegate
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 1BQ
Tel: 01603 723 011
Licences to kill or take game
There are 4 types of game licence. Each one covers different periods of the year as well as the open seasons for various game birds. They are colour coded and can be purchased from the Post Office.
The date and time of issue will be shown on the licence, which will only be valid from that particular time. The licence will, however, expire at midnight of the day on which it is stated to expire. The holders full name and address and the amount of duty paid must also be shown on the licence.
Not all licences are readily available from stock and there may be a delay in issue, particularly in respect of the occasional licence.
Gamekeeper's Licence
A gamekeeper's employer may obtain an annual gamekeeper's licence (at a lower cost (£4) than the normal 12 month licence). This permits the gamekeeper to take or kill game on land where his employer has the right to game.
The licence is transferable should a new gamekeeper be employed while it is still valid, and only covers a person while they are employed as a gamekeeper.
If a gamekeeper wishes to shoot game on land where his/her employer does not have right to game, then he/she must obtain a licence in their own name.
Game licence purposes
Red licences
This covers all open seasons for game birds and shooting of hares where not exempt. Normally taken out after 31 July and expiry 31 July the following year, costing £6.
Green licences
Popular for grouse shooters, this licence is taken out after 31 July and expiry 31 October same year, and costs £4.
Blue licences
Popular for pheasant shooters, this licence is taken out after 31 October and expiry 31 July following year, and costs £4.
Black licences
This licence is popular where game is perhaps shot only once during the year, this is an occasional licence for any continuous period of 14 days, costing £2.
Licences to deal in game
The Game Act 1831 requires dealers to be licensed in England. The sale of venison is covered by separate legislation under the Deer Act 1991 for England and Wales.
2 licences are needed to trade in certain game species. A council licence and an excise licence.
Council licences
Dealers may not be charged by us for these as we are often content to register them for public health purposes.
Excise licences
You can get these from the Post Office at a cost of £4. It is a condition of issue that a council licence be produced at the time of application.
Our licence will specify the business premises: an excise licence is required for each one. Both licences expire on 31st July of each year. The excise licence must be renewed but we require you to renew the licence, but you should check this on initial application.
Copies of the Game Act 1831 can be purchased from the Office of Public Sector Information website.
Game dealers application form
Application form 
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