In 2023, the Government reviewed which birds can legally hunted in Ireland and when. The review resulted in four species of duck being removed from the quarry list — birds that can be shot during open season. Many expected that woodcock would also be removed from this list because of its red-listed conservation status, but not so

Researchers have found that some bird species manage to nest along the way while migrating

Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan has announced there’s no longer an open season on four bird species: scaup, goldeneye, pochard, and pintail (all ducks). 

THE game season is in full swing and at last it is losing its reputation as a luxury food, eaten only in grand country houses.