Hares and licensing

Mountain Hare

From 1 March 2021 mountain hares are included on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and so have full protection.

Intentionally or recklessly killing, injuring or taking mountain hare at any time of year is now an offence under the amended Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

A licensing scheme for mountain hare is now available for persons wanting to kill or take mountain hare.

Licences can only be granted for specific purposes, including:

• to prevent serious damage – e.g. to forestry interests
• conserving any area of natural habitat
• social, economic or environmental purposes

You must be able to provide clear justification and evidence why control is necessary and what alternative action preventative action has been undertaken to date. There is a presumption against licensing the control of mountain hare within the mountain hare breeding season 1 March to 31 July.

Please see our guidance to applicants:

Mountain hare licensing - guidance for applicants

Brown Hare

The legislative requirements for brown hare have not changed and the closed season remains as 1 February to 30 September.

Intentionally or recklessly killing, injuring or taking brown hare in the closed season is an offence under the amended Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

A licensing scheme for brown hare is available for persons wanting to kill or take brown hare.

Licences can only be granted for specific purposes, most typically:

• to prevent serious damage – e.g. to forestry interests or crops and vegetables

You must be able to provide clear justification and evidence why control is necessary during the closed season and what alternative action preventative action has been undertaken to date.

You must be able to provide details of how many Hares were controlled in the previous open season or justification for why no open season control was carried out.

General Licence 16/2026

General Licence 16/2026 is available for the sale, advertisement, possession & transportation of mountain hare carcases & mountain hare meat by controllers, caterers and retailers.  It is valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026.

How to apply

Fill in the relevant application form and email it to [email protected].

You must complete all sections of the application form and provide all requested supporting documents. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and will not be assessed. 

Download the Licence application form – to control brown hares

Download the Licence application form - to control mountain hares

Download the Licence supporting information - mountain hare - herbivore management plan

Read the guidance Mountain hare licensing - guidance for applicants

Read the guidance on Licences for social, economic or environmental purposes

How we assess applications

We will consider:

• whether there’s a valid licensable purpose – e.g. hares are causing serious damage to growing timber
• if there’s an alternative to licensed control – e.g. fencing, or control during the open season (for brown hare)
• the conservation impact on the species

Licence changes and renewals

You should get in touch if you wish to amend a licence. But check your licence conditions first: you may be able to appoint agents and assistants without having to get them named on your licence.

Find out about adding persons to a licence.

You must also remember to contact us to renew your licence. Licences aren’t renewed automatically.

A new application form must be completed to renew your licence.  A renewal for an out of season Brown Hare licence will only be considered if details of the control in the previous open season are provided.  Details should include location, dates and number of hares taken.

Find out more

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