Hares (Scotland) Act 1848

Any Person having a Right to kill Hares in Scotland may do so without a Game Certificate, provided they shall be found on his own Land.

That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for any Person having at present a Right to kill Hares in Scotland to do so himself, or by any Person permitted, directed, or commanded by him by any Writing under his Hand, without the Payment of any such Duties of Assessed Taxes as aforesaid, and without obtaining an annual Game Certificate; Provided always, that such Hares shall be found and killed in or upon his own Land; provided also, that no Person permitted, directed, or commanded as aforesaid shall have Power to authorize any other Person whatever to take or destroy any Hare.

II Such Persons not to be liable to Tax on Game-keepers.

And be it enacted, That no Person so permitted, directed, or commanded to kill Hares as aforesaid shall, unless otherwise chargeable, be liable to any Duties of Assessed Taxes as Gamekeeper,

III To extend to coursing or hunting.

And be it enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for any Person to pursue and kill or to join in the Pursuit and killing Hares by coursing with Greyhounds, or by hunting with Beagles or other Hounds, without the having obtained an annual Certificate,

IV Not to permit the Destruction of Hares, &c. by Poison.

Provided always, and be it enacted, That nothing herein contained shall extend or be taken or construed to extend to the making it lawful for any Person, with Intent to destroy or injure any Hares or other Game, to put or cause to be put any Poison or poisonous Ingredient on any Ground, whether open or inclosed, where Game usually resort, or in any Highway, or for any Person to use any Fire-arms or Gun of any Description, by Night, for the Purpose of killing any Game or Hares.

V Interpretation of Act.

And be it enacted, That in the Interpretation of this Act the Singular Number shall extend to several Persons and Things as well as to one Person or Thing; and any Word importing the Plural Number shall apply to one Person or Thing as well as to several Persons or Things; and every Word importing the Masculine Gender only shall extend to a Female as well as a Male; and the Word " Night" shall be considered and is hereby declared to commence at the Expiration of the first Hour after Sunset, and to conclude at the Beginning of the last Hour before Sunrise.

VI Only to apply to Scotland.

And be it enacted, That this Act shall not extend to England and Ireland.

VII Act may be amended, &c.

And be it enacted, That this Act may be amended or repealed by any Act, to be passed during the present Session of Parliament.