<P> In the United Kingdom hunting without qualification generally refers to hunting with hounds - normally fox hunting, beagling, stag (deer) hunting or minkhunting - whereas shooting is the shooting of game birds . What is called deer hunting elsewhere is deer stalking . </P> <P> As of 2012 game shooting and deer stalking are carried on as field sports in Great Britain and Northern Ireland . Hunting with hounds in the traditional manner became unlawful in Scotland in 2002 and in England and Wales in 2005, but continues in certain excepted forms . Traditional foxhunting continues in Northern Ireland . Following a trail (similar to drag hunting) rather than a live quarry has subsequently grown in importance in Great Britain, as has hunting foxes to a bird of prey . </P> <P> The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) says that over a million people a year participate in shooting, including game shooting, clay shooting and target shooting . In 2005 it became unlawful in England and Wales to shoot flights or game birds while they are not in flight, an action which has long been considered unsporting in any event . </P> <P> Hunting has been practised in Britain since prehistoric times; it was a crucial activity of hunter - gatherer societies before the domestication of animals and the dawn of agriculture . </P>

Is it illegal to hunt in the uk