What Is the Law Around Shooting Grey Squirrels in the UK?
Quick Answer
Grey squirrels are a non-native invasive species listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You can shoot them legally in England, Wales and Scotland without a specific licence, provided you have the landowner's permission, use a legal firearm, and dispatch them humanely. Red squirrels, by contrast, are fully protected and must never be harmed. If you trap a grey squirrel alive, you cannot release it - releasing grey squirrels without authorisation is a criminal offence.
Are grey squirrels protected under UK law?
Grey squirrels are not protected in the way that most native wild animals are. They are classified as an invasive non-native species and appear on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Being on Schedule 9 does not protect them - it restricts their release into the wild, because their spread causes serious ecological damage, particularly to red squirrel populations and woodland ecosystems.
Red squirrels are a completely different matter. They appear on Schedules 5 and 6 of the same Act, which means it is a criminal offence to intentionally kill, injure or disturb them. If you are shooting in an area where red squirrels may be present, you must be certain of your identification before pulling the trigger.
The two species look quite different in good light, but early mornings or heavy woodland can make identification harder. Grey squirrels are larger, have a grizzled grey coat and a broad tail. Red squirrels are smaller with a distinctive russet coat, tufted ears and a slimmer tail. In Scotland, red squirrels are more widespread. If in doubt, do not shoot.
Do you need a licence or permission to shoot grey squirrels?
You do not need a specific government licence to shoot grey squirrels in England, Wales or Scotland. They can be controlled as part of normal pest management on land where you have authority to shoot.
What you absolutely do need is the landowner's permission. Shooting on land without permission is trespass at minimum, and depending on circumstances could involve firearms offences. Permission must be in place before you go out - verbal agreements are common but a written permission letter or shoot agreement is better practice and proves your authority if questioned.
You must also hold the appropriate firearms authority. An air rifle of sufficient power is legal for grey squirrels. A .22 rimfire on a Firearms Certificate is widely used. The key requirement is that you have the authority for the firearm you intend to use, and that the firearm is appropriate for a clean, humane dispatch at the range you are shooting.
What firearms are suitable for shooting grey squirrels?
Grey squirrels are small but quick and need to be dispatched humanely. The most commonly used methods in the UK are:
- Air rifles - sub-12 ft/lb air rifles are often used at short range, typically under 30 metres. They are quiet and do not require a Firearms Certificate, making them practical for woodland and garden situations.
- .22 LR rimfire - widely used by certificate holders for grey squirrel control. Effective at typical squirrel ranges and a standard choice for FAC holders carrying out pest work.
- .17 HMR and similar centrefire rimfires - legal and effective, though considered overkill for squirrels by many pest controllers. The flat trajectory is useful in certain woodland settings.
Your Firearms Certificate conditions will specify what purposes your rifles may be used for. Most FAC conditions include pest control as a permitted purpose, but check your specific conditions. If you are unsure, contact your firearms licensing department.
Can you trap grey squirrels alive and release them elsewhere?
No. This is one of the most important legal points around grey squirrel management. Grey squirrels appear on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it a criminal offence to release them or allow them to escape into the wild without appropriate authorisation. You cannot trap a grey squirrel alive and release it somewhere else, even in a different wood or area.
If you use live-capture traps (such as Fenn or spring traps in approved settings, or cage traps), you must check traps at least once a day and dispatch any grey squirrels humanely. Leaving a live squirrel in a trap without checking it regularly is also an offence under animal welfare law.
The practical implication is straightforward: if you catch a live grey squirrel, your only lawful options are to despatch it on the spot by a method permitted by law, or to destroy it by an approved means. You cannot relocate it.
What about shooting grey squirrels in gardens?
Garden shooting with a sub-12 ft/lb air rifle is technically legal in many situations, but several practical and legal considerations apply:
- You must be on your own land or have the occupier's permission.
- You must have a safe backstop for every shot. Air rifle pellets travel far enough to be dangerous if they miss.
- Local authority bylaws may restrict discharge of firearms in certain areas.
- Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 and related provisions restrict shooting in some locations - check if your property is within a restricted area.
- Neighbours' complaints about discharge of a firearm in a residential setting can lead to a police visit, even if your activity is legal.
For garden situations, silent dispatch with a trap and humanely killing on capture is often a simpler approach than shooting, particularly in built-up areas.
Do you need to record grey squirrel shooting on your Firearms Certificate?
Grey squirrels shot during pest control do not need to be individually recorded as part of your FAC ammunition record in the same way that, for example, deer shot during stalking may be recorded in a game register. However, keeping a simple shooting log is good practice for any pest control work on FAC authority.
Your FAC ammunition record covers the purchase, acquisition and use of ammunition, not every individual pest dispatched. Keeping a basic field record - date, location, rounds expended, outcome - is useful for several reasons. It shows responsible land management, helps you track ammunition usage against your FAC allowance, and provides evidence of genuine sporting use if your licensing department ever asks about activity on your certificate.
Vectis Shooting Log makes it straightforward to log pest control sessions alongside your ammunition records, so everything stays in one place.
Can you sell or give away grey squirrels you have shot?
You can sell or give away grey squirrel carcasses for human consumption, provided they are presented as game or food in the normal way. Grey squirrel meat has become more widely available in recent years through game dealers and a small number of butchers and restaurants. There is no specific prohibition on selling grey squirrel carcasses, unlike some other pest species.
If you plan to sell through a game dealer or to a food business, check their requirements. They may expect the squirrel to be presented in a specific condition, or may only accept certain quantities. As with any wild game, food hygiene and traceability rules apply once the meat enters the food chain.
What happens if you accidentally shoot a red squirrel?
Accidentally shooting a protected species is still a serious matter. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 uses the word "intentionally" in the offence provisions for Schedule 5 species, but that does not mean accidents carry no consequences. Failing to take reasonable steps to identify your target before shooting could itself be considered reckless.
If you believe you have accidentally shot a red squirrel, you should stop, preserve the evidence, and report it to Natural England (in England) or NatureScot (in Scotland). Do not simply discard the carcass. Being honest and cooperative with authorities is always preferable to concealment.
The best prevention is knowing your area. Check with local wildlife groups, forestry operators or the Forestry Commission whether red squirrels have been recorded in the vicinity before undertaking any squirrel control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to shoot grey squirrels in the UK?
Yes. Grey squirrels are an invasive non-native species listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You can shoot them without a specific licence provided you have the landowner's permission, hold the appropriate firearms authority, and dispatch them humanely.
Do you need a licence to shoot grey squirrels?
No government licence is required to shoot grey squirrels in England, Wales or Scotland. You need the landowner's permission and the appropriate firearms authority for the gun you are using.
Can you release a trapped grey squirrel?
No. Releasing grey squirrels is a criminal offence under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you catch a grey squirrel alive in a trap, you must dispatch it humanely. You cannot relocate or release it.
What is the difference between a red squirrel and a grey squirrel in law?
Red squirrels are fully protected under Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally kill or injure them. Grey squirrels are not protected and can be controlled as pest species.
Can you use an air rifle to shoot grey squirrels?
Yes. A sub-12 ft/lb air rifle is legal for grey squirrel control without a Firearms Certificate. You still need the landowner's permission and must ensure every shot is taken safely with a secure backstop.
Do you need to record grey squirrels in your FAC ammunition log?
You record ammunition expenditure, not individual pests dispatched. Keeping a basic field log of pest control sessions is good practice and helps track rounds used against your FAC allowance.
Can you shoot grey squirrels in your garden?
You can use a sub-12 ft/lb air rifle in your garden if you own or occupy the land and have a safe backstop for every shot. Local bylaws and the proximity of neighbours should be checked. In built-up areas, humane trapping and dispatch is often more practical.
Is it legal to sell grey squirrel meat in the UK?
Yes. There is no specific prohibition on selling grey squirrel carcasses for food. They can be sold through game dealers or directly, subject to normal food hygiene and traceability requirements.
What should you do if you accidentally shoot a red squirrel?
Stop, preserve the carcass and report it to Natural England in England or NatureScot in Scotland. Do not discard the evidence. Accidental shooting of a protected species is serious and should be reported honestly.
Does the law on shooting grey squirrels apply in Northern Ireland?
Wildlife law in Northern Ireland operates under different legislation. The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 applies there. Check with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency if you are operating in that jurisdiction, as the rules and species protections differ from Great Britain.