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.
Schedule 2 (Part 1)
Ducks
Gadwall, Goldeneye, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Scaup¹, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted, Wigeon
Geese
Canada, Greylag, Pink-footed, White-fronted²
Waders
Common Snipe, Golden Plover, Woodcock
Others
Coot, Moorhen
1 Northern Ireland only, ² England & Wales only, ³ England,Wales & Scotland only
There are also open/shooting seasons for wildfowl and these are shown below (all dates are inclusive)
Schedule 2 (Part 4)
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
Wildfowl in England, Wales and Scotland elsewhere
1 September - 31 January
Coot (England, Wales & Scotland only)
1 September - 31 January
Moorhen (England, Wales & Scotland only)
1 September - 31 January
Common Snipe
12 August - 31 January
Jack Snipe (Northern Ireland only)
1 September - 31 January
Curlew (Northern Ireland only)
1 September - 31 January
Woodcock (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
1 October - 31 January
Woodcock (Scotland)
1 September - 31 January
Golden Plover
1 September - 31 January
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 These orders have not been rescinded and so the following counties/part counties are still affected: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.
Below is the official BASC Wildfowl Quarry ID Pocket Guide which can be downloaded and printed.
