(1)Subject to sections 6 and 8 below, if any person—
(a)sets in position any article which is a trap, snare, or poisoned or stupefying bait and is of such a nature and so placed as to be calculated to cause bodily injury to any deer coming in contact with it, or
(b)uses for the purpose of taking or killing any deer any trap, snare or poisoned or stupefying bait, or any net,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)Subject to sections 6 to 8 below, if any person uses for the purpose of taking or killing or injuring any deer—
(a)any firearm or ammunition mentioned in Schedule 2 to this Act,
(b)any arrow, spear or similar missile, or
(c)any missile, whether discharged from a firearm or otherwise, carrying or containing any poison, stupefying drug or muscle-relaxing agent,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(3)The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 2 to this Act by adding any firearm or ammunition or by altering the description of, or deleting, any firearm or ammunition for the time being mentioned in that Schedule.
(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, if any person—
(a)discharges any firearm, or projects any missile, from any mechanically propelled vehicle at any deer, [F1when the vehicle is moving or when its engine is running,] or
(b)uses any mechanically propelled vehicle for the purpose of driving deer,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(5)An act which, apart from this subsection, would constitute an offence under subsection (4) above shall not constitute such an offence if it is done—
(a)by, or with the written authority of, the occupier of any enclosed land where deer are usually kept; and
(b)in relation to any deer on that land.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 4(4)(a) inserted (1.10.2007) by The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2183), arts. 1(1), 2