Hares (Close Season) Bill [HL]

The Hares (Close Season) Bill proposes to establish a legally protected closed season during which hares cannot be killed or captured in the UK. This would prohibit hunting and coursing of hares during specified months, typically when they are breeding or most vulnerable. The bill aims to protect hare populations, which have declined significantly across Britain, by preventing hunting during critical periods in their lifecycle. The legislation would apply to both wild hares and coursing activities, with enforcement through existing wildlife crime penalties.