The effect of this Order is to fix the periods during which it as an offence under section 5 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 (the “1996 Act”) to take or wilfully kill or injure a deer of the species and sex specified in the Schedule. It revokes and replaces the Deer (Close Seasons) (Scotland) Order 1984.

The 1996 Act provides that it is not an offence during those periods to take, kill or injure a deer where an authorisation is granted under section 5, where section 14 (limitation of criminal liability) is applicable or where it is for a purpose specified in section 25 (action taken in order to prevent suffering).

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been produced in relation to this Order as it has no direct impact on businesses, charities or the voluntary sector.