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In general, the law forbids the use of smooth-bore guns to kill uninjured wild deer. BDS strongly supports this line and recommends that a full-bore rifle which meets the legal ballistic requirements of the Scottish and English/Welsh Deer Acts should always be the firearm of choice for deer management purposes.

However the law allows the use any smooth-bore gun for the humane destruction of an injured or diseased deer in all parts of UK. At close range any size of shot fired from any gauge of shotgun is sufficiently lethal to end a deer's suffering humanely. BDS fully supports this use of shotguns on deer to end suffering provided they are used safely and according to the published Code on Conduct.

The use of specially adapted shotguns as a "slaughtering instrument" for killing deer brought to bay during deer hunts is another legal exemption to which the Society has no objection in humane terms if properly used at close range.

Other Legal Use of a Shotgun

Shotguns [in all cases 12 bore or larger] may be used to shoot at uninjured deer only:

a) Where the deer are causing serious damage to agricultural crops, trees or other commercial property;

b) Only in Scotland may a shotgun be used to protect the "Natural Heritage" e.g. wild habitats and plants from serious deer damage.

Safety

Safety alone is never sufficient legal justification for using a shotgun to kill an uninjured deer anywhere in UK. However, where a sufficient damage justification exists to shoot deer with a shotgun, the use of a shotgun and appropriate ammunition may be an acceptable and humane alternative to the use of a rifle if:

· The use of a full-bore rifle might cause safety concerns;

· Deer may have to be shot running at close range perhaps in thick cover;

· A legal deer rifle is not available.

Disadvantages in Shotgun Use

A shotgun lacks the precision of a rifle. The low weight and velocity of each individual pellet reduces its energy, its ability to penetrate sufficiently and to disrupt vital organs. All these factors reduce a shotgun's lethality and wounding is much more likely especially if only part of the shot charge hits the deer. Therefore shotguns must only be used at very close range, by expert and highly self-disciplined hunters and normally for shooting the small deer species only.

Rifled Slugs

Although the use of a rifled slug fired from a shotgun is legal to protect crops from serious deer damage, their use is not recommended by the British Deer Society. In all cases, a legal deer rifle would be much more accurate and effective and no more dangerous when correctly used,

Advantages in Shotgun Use

Killing a moving deer especially at close range in cover is easier with a shotgun than with a rifle with a telescopic sight mounted. In addition the spread of shot will compensate for some inaccuracy in the aim.

Humane Use of Shotguns

The following are important to ensure deer are killed humanely where a shotgun has to be used:

a) Use the correct bore and shot. The law requires that a 12 Gauge/ Bore shotgun (or larger) is used. The use of AAA shot is mandatory in England and Wales for all deer and recommended for shooting the small deer species everywhere. In Scotland, the larger deer species may only be shot with shotguns when using SSG or larger shot;

b) Use a choked shotgun. It is essential that as many pellets as possible hit the deer to ensure that many will strike vital organs. The wide spread of shot from open choked guns will tend to wound rather than kill a deer outright.

c) Avoid shooting at ranges over 20 metres. It is essential that the deer is struck by a high percentage of the shot charge. Individual shot pellets lack sufficient energy to penetrate heavy bones and do not retain sufficient velocity to disrupt tissue and damage internal organs seriously especially if only one or two pellets strike a vital area. At 20 metres or less, 50% of the pellet charge should strike within a 25 cm (10") circle around the aiming point.

d) Correct Point of Aim. The best point of aim is the forward chest area of the ribs just behind the shoulder when the deer is side on to the firer. Shot penetrates more effectively if the skin is stretched while the animal is running. The head or high neck should ONLY be the target when shooting at under 5 meters e.g. during humane destruction at an accident site.

Humane Destruction

The use of a shotgun (of any bore) and small shot at close range (less than 10 m) is often the best and safest way to kill an injured deer where there might be a ricochet risk. At 5 m the shot dispersion is only about 12 cm (5"); at 10 m, the spread has risen to about 20 cm (8"). The recommended points of aim to kill instantly are:

a) From behind - the back of the deer's head just where the skull joins its neck ;

b) From the side - a point midway between the deer's eye and base of its ear.

Code of Conduct

Those likely to use a shotgun in such situations are advised to become familiar with the Code of Conduct for Dispatch of Deer at Road Traffic Accidents - an advice note jointly published by BASC/BDS.

BDS Board 11/09/2005