Brown hares are the only ‘game’ species in England and Wales that can be shot year-round
When I introduced my first Private Members’ Bill in Parliament last November – aiming to establish a close season for hare shooting in England and Wales – it marked the sixth attempt to introduce such a bill in a decade. Colleagues like Lord Randall, Richard Fuller MP, and former environment secretary George Eustice have previously championed similar efforts to protect pregnant and nursing hares and their dependent leverets during the breeding season.
Some may question the timing of this initiative amid pressing domestic and international issues. However, as someone who deeply values wildlife and biodiversity, I believe that addressing this glaring omission in our wildlife protection laws is crucial. Establishing a close season would incur no costs, while making a significant difference to the welfare of hare populations.
the idea of having too few hares is close to giving me an aneurysm
The UK is among the most nature-depleted countries in Europe (if not the world), so even introduced species are at risk at this point.
Any protections that can be given to wildlife here are a welcome tool!
Aren’t hares an introduced species? From an Australian perspective, hares and rabbits are pest species and it is illegal not to control their numbers.
Brown Hares are a bit of an oddity. They were introduced to the UK during or before the Roman occupation and are thoroughly naturalised now. They are in decline because of habitat loss etc, and are considered a priority species for conservation but, as an introduced species, have very little legal protection.
There is also the Mountain Hare in the UK, which is a native species, but is much rarer and more protected.
