THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
THE GAME LICENCES ACT, 1860 
23 &24 Vict.,c. 90 
For several reasons this Act is one of great importance to shooting 
men. In the first place it repeals the duties imposed for licences under 
the old Acts of George HI and William IV, converts the old game certifi- 
cate (which cost more) into a game licence and specifies the cost of such 
licence according to the period for which it is required. Thus for the 
whole season the cost is £3 (instead of, as formerly, £3 13s. 6d.) ; for 
the period from July 31 to October 31, £2 ; and if not taken out before 
November 1, to expire on the following July 31, £2 ; while for any con- 
tinuous period of 14 days £1 only is chargeable. 
Under the same section (2) the cost of a keeper’s game licence is fixed 
at £2, and a licence to deal in game also £2. It may be here pointed out 
that any holder of a £3 game licence wishing to dispose of surplus game 
is not obliged to take out a dealer’s licence for £2 in addition, but he can 
sell it only to a licensed dealer. 
Section 4. — ^Another important alteration in the game laws is made by 
this section of the Act, which in effect adds to the game list, inasmuch 
as it renders it necessary to have a game licence in order to shoot any 
woodcock, snipe, quail, landrail, coney or deer. But there are certain 
exemptions, that is to say, no game licence is required for netting or 
snaring woodcock and snipe, for taking rabbits, for coursing or hare 
hunting, for hunting deer with hounds, or for killing deer in enclosed 
lands by the owner or occupier. Except in these cases, the penalty for 
killing game, or any woodcock, snipe, etc., as above mentioned without 
a licence is £20. 
Section 10, which relates to the production of licences, provides that 
anyone found shooting or in pursuit of game with a gun, may be asked 
to produce his game licence; he is bound to produce it on demand, and 
to allow the person requiring it to read it or copy it. If not produced and 
he refuses his name and address, or gives a false name, he is liable to 
a fine of £20. The persons who may demand production are any officer of 
Inland Revenue, any lord of the manor or his gamekeeper, any holder of 
a game licence, or the owner, landlord, lessee or occupier of the land on 
which the person is found shooting. See also Sect. 9 & 10 of the Gun 
Licence Act, 1870. 
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