One of the great advances that the Internet has brought, is that we can share information easily and quickly with fellow wildfowlers across the world. One of the best ways of doing this are on the various Discussion Forums and Bulletin Boards that are dedicated to our sport.

On those Forums, a very common question from American waterfowlers is about the laws and regulations that govern duck and goose hunting in Britain. Many Americans seem to be under the misconception that hunting laws and gun regulations are very tight in Britain and that it would be difficult for a foreign visitor to hunt over here. Let me deal with the main differences between Britain and USA.

First of all, a wee point about political geography - Great Britain consists of three countries - England, Wales and Scotland. Some laws cover all three while others are specific to one country. (The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which makes matters even more complicated, so I will omit Northern Ireland from this analysis).

Gun Ownership (Laws are the same throughout GB but not NI) - To own shotguns, a person must have a Shotgun Certificate issues by his/her local police force. There are no restrictions on the number of shotguns that may be owned and the owner does not have to provide any evidence of need. The only reasons the police can refuse a Shotgun Certificate is if the applicant has a serious criminal record or a history of mental illness. Realistically, any sane, law-abiding person who wants to shoot with shotguns can buy and own guns without any problems. A foreign visitor coming to Britain to hunt needs to have a Visitor's Shotgun Permit. There is no difficulty obtaining this but allow 3 months for the application as bureaucracy can be slow.

The regulations concerning rifles is slightly tighter in that the applicant for a Firearms Certificate has to satisfy the police that he has a genuine requirement for such a weapon. Hunting deer, foxes, rabbits, etc is sufficient justification. Since 1998, the private ownership of handguns has been banned.

Gun Regulations - Shotguns must have an internal  barrel diameter of not more than 1¾ inches. That means we can use shoulder guns of 8 and 4 gauge as well as 10, 12, 16, 20, etc. Semi-automatic shotguns must have the magazine capacity limited to two shells (plus one in the breach) when hunting waterfowl.

Lead Shot - In England and Wales, non-toxic shot must be used when hunting ducks and geese anywhere or when hunting other species over certain designated wetland areas. Lead shot can still be used in Scotland but this may change before the start of the 2004/05 season.

Licenses - No hunting licenses or stamps are required to shoot ducks and geese in Britain.

Wildfowling Season - The annual season for hunting ducks and geese throughout Britain begins on 1st September and lasts until 20th February (below high water mark) or 31st January above high water mark). In Scotland and some parts of England and Wales, waterfowl hunting is not permitted on Sundays.

Time Restrictions - There are no statutory time restrictions on duck and goose hunting in Britain. Most wildfowling takes place at dawn and dusk for the morning and evening flights but we can hunt wildfowl at night under a full moon if conditions are suitable.

Species - In Britain all wild birds are protected by law and those that can be hunted are exempted from this general law by specific legislation. The main species of duck that are hunted are: mallard, wigeon, teal, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, gadwall and goldeneye. The main quarry species of geese are: pinkfooted goose, greylag goose, Canada goose and, in England and Wales only, whitefronted goose.

Bag Limits - There are no statutory bag limits in Britain. Most good wildfowlers observe a voluntary code of ethics that limit bags to the amount that they and their friends and families will eat. Dead wild duck can be sold to game dealers but dead wild geese cannot. Real wildfowlers rarely sell the birds they shoot.

Where to Hunt - Almost all wildfowling in Britain takes place on the coastal marshes, estuaries and washes "below the sea wall". In Scotland this area is "public hunting" and there are no restrictions or costs involved. In England and Wales, the best foreshore wildfowling is controlled by wildfowling clubs. Membership of those clubs is very inexpensive and many of them issue Visitors Permits which are also inexpensive. Ducks and geese can also be shot inland - for example decoying geese on their feeding grounds or flighting ducks on "flight ponds". However all inland hunting is on private land and it may be more expensive. Inland hunting is often arranged through guides (outfitters) or sporting agents.