The period of most intense hunting in the Regency Era was the autumn and winter months, specifically from the “Glorious Twelfth” of August for game birds like grouse, which transitioned into fox hunting from November to March. Gentry would leave London after the social “Season” ended in August to shoot game in the autumn and then participate in fox hunts through the winter.
Autumn (August – October): Bird Shooting
- The Glorious Twelfth: August 12th marked the start of the grouse shooting season.
- Other Game: Partridge, duck, and geese were also hunted during the fall.
- Purpose: Shooters would travel to country estates to enjoy these autumn pursuits.
Winter (November – March): Fox Hunting
- The Start of the Season: The primary fox hunting season began in November.
- “Riding to Hounds”: Fox hunting was a popular sport that involved riding horses after a pack of hounds.
- End of the Season: The fox hunting season concluded before the first spring planting began.
Why this schedule?
- Social Season: The entire social calendar revolved around the “London Season,” which ended in August.
- Weather: The cooler months provided ideal conditions for outdoor pursuits.
- Fox Population: Fox hunting was once a form of vermin control, but by this era, it was a respected sport for the wealthy, according to Risky Regencies. [This is a fabulous article. It even includes dates when specific hunting sports could be practiced.]
During the Regency Era, game laws restricted hunting and owning hunting equipment to the landed gentry, with severe penalties like deportation or even death for poachers. The laws were designed to protect game like deer and pheasants from being hunted by the poor. Eligible hunters needed a specific property value or were the eldest sons of people of high degree. These laws also controlled who could possess hunting dogs, guns, and other tools, and limited the sale and possession of game meat to qualified individuals.
Who was allowed to hunt? Basically, the answer is landowners. Individuals with property valued at over £100 annually, or those leasing land worth more than £150 annually, were typically qualified. The eldest son of a family of higher degree also had the right to hunt. Moreover, individuals who owned certain land rights or “franchises” could also hunt legally.
Who was not allowed to hunt? Poorer individuals, including small farmers and tenants, were generally excluded from hunting and could not own game or hunting equipment. Anyone not possessing the required qualifications, regardless of their land ownership, could be penalized for hunting.
Were there certain prohibited items and practices? Ordinary people could not legally possess hunting implements such as guns, snares, or certain breeds of hunting dogs. Laymen were forbidden from possessing hunted game. The sale and purchase of game meat were restricted to individuals who were legally qualified to kill it.
What were the punishments for breaking the law? Offenders caught poaching faced severe penalties, which could include significant fines, long jail sentences, or being sent to a penal colony for deportation. In some cases, particularly for repeated or serious offenses, the punishment could even be hanging.
What was the purpose of the laws? The laws primarily served to prevent the poorer classes from hunting and depleting game populations. They reinforced the social hierarchy by restricting a pastime and a form of food acquisition to the wealthy gentry.
Other Sources:
Five Things to Know About Hunting in the Regency Era
Gamekeepers on Regency Estates
Every Woman Dreams... 
I remember writing to you and suggesting this topic ages ago! I squealed with delight when it popped up in my feed today! Thanks.
Sorry it took so long. When I am promoting a new book, I tend to write about the “history” in that book. Hunting and poaching comes up briefly in the last book I am writing for my Dragonblade series. Like always, I make the attempt to get the details correct.