Geese in flight
Geese in flight

What can I shoot?

Ducks

A gadwall duck

Gadwall

Goldeneye duck

Goldeneye

A mallard duck

Mallard

A pintail duck

Pintail

Pochard

A shoveler duck

Shoveler

A male scaup

Scaup

A teal duck

Teal

A tufted duck

Tufted

A wigeon duck

Wigeon

Geese

A canada goose

Canada

A greylag goose

Greylag

Pink-footed goose

White fronted goose

White-fronted goose

Waders

A Common snipe

Common snipe

A golden plover

Golden plover

Jack snipe

Jack snipe

A woodcock

Woodcock

Other

A coot

Coot

A moorhen

Moorhen

Notes: 1 – Northern Ireland only,

2 – England, Wales and Scotland only,

3- As of 01/04/2020 Greenland white-fronted geese have been removed from quarry list.

It is the responsibility of the shooter to ensure they can identify their quarry.

As there is no way of identifying the difference between Greenland white-fronted and European white-fronted geese when in flight, we would recommend wildfowlers continue to honour the moratorium in the north of England to ensure they remain legal.

For more details, contact the wildfowling team.

Wildfowling seasons (all dates are inclusive):

England, Wales and Scotland: 1 September – 31 January (above high-water mark of ordinary spring tides).

England, Wales and Scotland: 1 September – 20 February (below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides).

Note that duck and goose species only (no waders) can be shot after 31 January when below the high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Northern Ireland: 1 September – 31 January.

Further advice on this can be obtained from wildfowling clubs in the area, BASC head office and country and regional offices.

Isle of Man: *Geese can only be shot under general licence, under the Wildlife Act 1990

SpeciesEngland and WalesScotlandNorthern IrelandIsle of Man
Duck and goose inlandSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31

Ducks – Sep 1 – Jan 31

Geese July 1 – Mar 31

Duck and goose below HOSTSep 1 – Feb 20Sep 1 – Feb 20Sep 1 – Jan 31

Ducks Sep 1 – Jan 31

Geese July 1 – Mar 31

Common snipeAug 12 – Jan 31Aug 12 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31
Jack snipeProtectedProtectedSep 1 – Jan 31Protected
WoodcockOct 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Oct 1 – Jan 31Oct 1 – Jan 31
Golden ploverSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31Protected
Coot/moorhenSep 1 – Jan 31Sep 1 – Jan 31ProtectedProtected

Share

A wildfowler looking across a field at dawn

Where do I start?

To be successful when it comes to wildfowling a certain level of skill and knowledge is essential, including understanding the habitat.

Get the latest updates from BASC

Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Quick links

Get involved

BASC logo
Facebook Icon-x-twitter Instagram Youtube

© 2023 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.

If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.

Gadwall

Gadwall - male flying

Male

Black with white flanks and belly; rounded head and drooping crest.

Gadwall - female flying

Female

Rich dark brown head and back; flanks and underside paler; crest shorter than male.

In flight both sexes appear black with white belly and a distinctive broad white wing bar. Juvenile resembles female.

Size: 46–56cm (18–22in)

Small, compact diving duck.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)*

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

* The sale of Gadwall is prohibited by the WCA1981.

Goldeneye

Goldeneye - male

Male

High-crowned, ‘triangular’ dark head and short bill, with greenish-purple gloss and circular white patch on cheek; neck and under parts white contrasting with black back and rump and grey tail; white inner wing readily seen in flight.

Goldeneye - female

Female

Smaller than male; has chocolate-brown head, pale blue-grey upper parts with white under parts, grey flanks and tail; wings dark with conspicuous white patch similar to male.

Size: 42–50cm (17–20in)

Medium-sized, stocky sea duck.

In Wales the Greenland white-front is subject to a voluntary no shooting moratorium initiative because of its declining population. The following description relates to the European white-fronted goose.

Medium-sized grey-brown goose characterised by white band at base of upper bill and black bars on belly. Amount of black on underside very variable.

Young birds lack these characteristics but are normally found among adults. Generally dark greyish-brown plumage, fairly long pink bill, orange legs.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Mallard

Mallard-drake-male in flight

Male

Mallard hen in-flight

Female

Large, heavily built dabbling duck with rather long head and bill.

Size: 50–65cm (20–26in)

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Pintail

Pintail - male
Pintail - male in flight

Male

Dark brown head, and back of neck, pure white breast, sides and front of neck, extending as white streak up side of head; under parts white; back and flanks light grey; rump black; wings grey and brown with green speculum conspicuous in flight.

Pintail - female
Pintail - female in flight

Female

Duller, grey-brown plumage and no discernible wing pattern in flight, except a light trailing edge to inner wing.

Juvenile resembles female, but generally darker and more uniform.

Size: 51–66 cm (20–26in)

Large slim dabbling duck with long neck and long narrow tail.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Pochard

Pochard - male

Male

Dark chestnut head and neck contrasting with pale grey back and flanks, black breast and tail.

Pochard - female

Female

Uniform dull brown, slightly paler around face.

Both sexes characterised in flight by absence of white on wings; forewing dark grey. Juvenile resembles female.

Size: 42–49cm (17–19in)

Medium-sized diving duck with short-necked, ‘dumpy’ appearance on water, and long broad bill.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Shoveler

Shoveler - male
Shoveler - male in flight

Male

Striking dark green head, chestnut flanks and belly contrasting with pure white chest, pale blue forewing, green speculum edged with white.

Shoveler - female
Shoveler - female in flight

Female

Mottled brown, with similar but duller blue forewing and green speculum.

Juvenile a dull version of female.

Size: 44–52cm (17–20 in)

Medium-sized dabbling duck; both sexes characterised by very large, spoon-like bill, large flattened head and short neck.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Scaup

A male scaup in water

Male

Black heads, shoulder and breast, with white flanks, grey back and a black tail.

A female scaup in water

Female

Predominantly brown with white patches around the base of the bill.  In flight they show white patches along the length of the trailing edge of the wing.

Size: 42-51cm (16.5-20in)

Diving ducks with a strong resemblance to tufted ducks.

Seasons

Northern Ireland only 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: N/A

Scotland: N/A

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST*

England and Wales: N/A

Scotland: N/A

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Teal

Eurasian Teal duck

Male

Characterised by conspicuous grey plumage contrasting with dark chestnut head, creamy-buff patch on each side of black under-tail feathers and prominent white stripe along shoulders; breast cream coloured, spotted with black; underside white.

A female teal

Female

Mottled brown with paler cheeks and whitish underside.

Size: 34–38cm (13–15in)

Small, compact dabbling duck with narrow pointed wings.

Juvenile similar to female with spotted under parts.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Tufted

Tufted duck-male
Tufted duck - male

Male

Black with white flanks and a long tuft at the back of the head.

Tufted duck - female
Tufted duck - female in flight

Female

Entirely chocolate brown except for a white area on the belly.

Size: 40-47cm (15-18.5in)

A medium-sized diving duck that is just smaller than the mallard and chunkier than a wigeon .

Both with a visible tuft on the top of their heads that provides the basis of their name, they have pale blue bills with black tip and yellow eyes and when in flight both show an obvious white stripe across the back of their wing.

Seasons

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide
England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Wigeon

Wigeon - male

Male

Duller; brown plumage tinged rufous, white underside, green speculum fringed with white wing bars. Short bill and dark, pointed tail useful identifying characters.

Wigeon - female

Female

Mainly grey with buff forehead and crown, chestnut head, chest pinkish brown, white under parts; white shoulder patch readily seen in flight.

Size: 45–51cm (18–20in)

Medium-sized, short-necked, compact dabbling duck with small bill, pointed tail and narrow wings.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)*

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sept – 31 Jan 

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Sep 1 – Jan 31

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Canada goose

Size: 91–102 cm (36–40 in)

Very large, grey-brown goose with long neck; black head and neck with distinctive white patch extending from chin across cheeks to behind eye. Body dark above; paler brown flanks and under parts; tail black with white inner band. Bill and legs black.

Males and females similar and young birds similar to adults, and generally indistinguishable in field.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

This species can be shot throughout the year (i.e. during the close season) in England, Wales and Scotland only under the terms and conditions of specific general licences. 

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

Greylag

Size: 75–90 cm (30–35 in)

Large, big-headed, thick-necked, heavy grey goose. Head, neck and most of body uniform pale brownish-grey.

Characterised by large size, heavy head and neck with stout bill, and very pale bluish-grey forewing – the latter especially distinctive in flight.  Bill bright orange; legs flesh pink. Breast often spotted with black.

Young birds similar to adults but generally unspotted, with greyer legs.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

Below HOST*

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Jul 1 – Mar 31**

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

Pink-footed goose

Pink-foot goose male

Size: 60–76 cm (24–30 in)

Medium-sized, pinkish-grey goose characterised by dark head and neck, contrasting with pale brownish body. Bill is small and short, dark-coloured with a pink band; feet and legs are pink. Back and wings grey; paler forewing noticeable in flight.

Young birds darker and more uniform above, mottled appearance below compared with more uniform colouring of adults.

Season

Inland (Above HOST)

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

White-fronted goose

White fronted goose

Size: 66–76 cm (26–30 in)

Two races of the white-fronted goose regularly occur in the British Isles: the European white-front and the Greenland white-front. 
  
The two races are distinguishable in the field and have markedly different winter ranges. They are both protected in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 
  
A medium-sized grey-brown goose characterised by white band at base of upper bill and black bars on belly. The amount of black on underside is variable. 
  
Young birds lack these characteristics but are normally found among adults. Generally dark greyish-brown plumage, fairly long pink bill, orange legs.

Season

Inland (Above HOST*)

England: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: N/A

Below HOST*

England: Sep 1 – Feb 20

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: N/A

*HOST  – Height of an Ordinary Spring Tide

England, Wales and Scotland: Any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.

**Geese can only be shot under general licence under the Wildlife Act 1990. See the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for terms and conditions of general licences here

The sale of wild geese is prohibited by the WCA1981. 

Common snipe

Common snipe female

Size: 27 cm (101/2 in)

Small brown wader with characteristic long, straight bill. Upper parts rufous brown and black with golden buff stripes on head and back; under parts white with dark brown markings and pale barred flank. White trailing edge to wing in flight.

Characteristic zig-zag flight pattern when disturbed.

Season

England and Wales: 12 Aug – 31 Jan

Scotland: 12 Aug – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Golden plover

A golden plover adult

Adult (breeding)

A golden plover juvenile

Adult (winter)

Size: 28 cm (11in)

Medium-sized wader with short, straight bill and rounded head. Distinguished in all seasons by rich gold and black spotted plumage on back and wings, white underwing, and dark tail; no wing bar. In winter underside and face whitish, mottled gold-brown.

Sexes similar but juvenile plumage more uniform than adult, paler above and darker below.

Season

England and Wales: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Scotland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Northern Ireland: Sep 1 – Jan 31

Isle of Man: Protected

Jack snipe

Jack snipe - male

Size: 17–19cm (7in)

Small, relatively short-billed and large-headed snipe, with dark plumage, and rather slow, reluctant flight.

Longitudinal back stripes obvious at close range; flanks mottled or softly streaked, not barred. Tail wedge-shaped. Almost silent except when displaying.

Season

England and Wales: Protected 

Scotland: Protected

Northern Ireland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Isle of Man: Protected

Woodcock

Woodcock

Size: 34 cm (131/2 in)

Medium-sized, dark, round-winged wader with long straight bill. Plumage richly marked with browns, buff and black on upper parts; under parts light brown with fine dark brown barring. In flight looks stout with short tail and long bill angled downwards.

Sexes similar; young resemble adults.

Typically found in woodland by day but often flies out to open country at dusk.

For information on woodcock habitat management and shooting sustainably, read our woodcock advice sheet.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Scotland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan 

Northern Ireland: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Isle of Man: 1 Oct – 31 Jan 

Coot

A coot

Size: 38 cm (15 in)

Medium-sized, bulky waterbird, characterised by overall very dark slate-grey body colour and black head in sharp contrast to white bill and frontal shield.

On water distinguished by round back and apparently small head. Sexes similar; juvenile dark brown above, pale brown and whitish under parts.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sept – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: Protected

Moorhen

A moorhen

Adult

Juvenile moorhen

Juvenile

Size: 33 cm (13 in)

Small-sized, dark waterbird. Striking white flank stripes and undertail feathers with dark brownish-black upper parts and slate grey under parts.

Bill and frontal shield bright red; yellow bill tip. Sexes similar; juveniles brownish with creamy flank stripes, white undertail feathers and greenish-brown bill.

Season

England and Wales: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Scotland: 1 Sep – 31 Jan

Northern Ireland: Protected

Isle of Man: Protected