Offences relating to deer

4Use of prohibited weapons and other articles

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, 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.