Just because wildfowling generally takes place miles away from civilization doesn't mean that we are free to shoot what we like. The species of birds that we can legally shoot outside the closed season are governed by law and listed in Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

      

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Schedule 2 (Part 1)

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Ducks   

 

Gadwall, Goldeneye, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Scaup¹, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted, Wigeon

 

 

Geese

 

Canada, Greylag, Pink-footed, White-fronted²

 

 

Waders

 

Common Snipe, Golden Plover, Woodcock

 

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Others

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Coot, Moorhen

 

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1 Northern Ireland only, ² England & Wales only, ³ England,Wales & Scotland only

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There are also open/shooting seasons for wildfowl and these are shown below (all dates are inclusive)

   

Schedule 2 (Part 4)

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Wildfowl in Northern Ireland anywhere

1 September - 31 January

 

Wildfowl in England, Wales and Scotland in or over any area below the mean high water mark of ordinary spring tides

1 September - 20 February

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Wildfowl in England, Wales and Scotland elsewhere

1 September - 31 January

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Coot (England, Wales & Scotland only)

1 September - 31 January

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Moorhen (England, Wales & Scotland only)

1 September - 31 January

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Common Snipe

12 August - 31 January

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Jack Snipe (Northern Ireland only)

1 September - 31 January

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Curlew (Northern Ireland only)

1 September - 31 January

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Woodcock (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)

1 October - 31 January

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Woodcock (Scotland)

1 September - 31 January

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Golden Plover

1 September - 31 January

 

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Before the passing of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, orders prohibiting the shooting of wildfowl on Sundays in England and Wales were made under the Protection of Birds Act 1954. These orders have not been rescinded and so the following counties/part counties are still affected:

Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarfon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.

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Below is the official BASC Wildfowl Quarry ID Pocket Guide which can be downloaded and printed.

Duck and Geese Sounds
Mallard Duck Sound - Unknown Artist
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Pochard Sound - Unknown Artist
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Pintail Sound - Unknown Artist
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Shoveller Sound - Unknown Artist
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Tufted Duck Sound - Unknown Artist
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Gadwell Sound - Unknown Artist
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Pink Footed Geese Sound - Unknown Artist
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White Fronted Geese Sound - Unknown Artist
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Wigeon Sound - Unknown Artist
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Greylag Sound - Unknown Artist
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Canada Geese Sound - Unknown Artist
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Goldeneye Sound - Unknown Artist
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Teal Sound - Unknown Artist
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