Wildfowling, where to start?

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co’den

co’den

Well-Known Member
Like the title, where do I start?
I’ve got the basics, an old side by side, waterproofs and wellies, and a good couple of dogs, but that’s where it ends. I’m dead keen to give wildfowling a go but don’t know where to start or anyone that is involved in the sport.
Can someone point me in the right direction please. Maybe a local club? I’m based in Perth. Thanks.
 
Basc is your first best bet.
There might be some areas locally under the crown you can shoot for free.
I imagine most clubs when you join,a portion of your subs goes towards BASC membership.

It might be a bit late in the season to join a club now but if you're lucky to find a club,I magine you'll do like a probationary period,where an existing club member takes you around the shoot.
That was certainly the case here on Anglesey.

The American Tak'em videos will give you a great insight into calling ducks.
Tidepool ol is a great wildfowling shop,he does all the shows and is a wealth of knowledge on equipment.
Enjoy and good luck.
 
co’den said:
Like the title, where do I start?
I’ve got the basics, an old side by side, waterproofs and wellies, and a good couple of dogs, but that’s where it ends. I’m dead keen to give wildfowling a go but don’t know where to start or anyone that is involved in the sport.
Can someone point me in the right direction please. Maybe a local club? I’m based in Perth. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I would get a pair of chest waders - neoprene with integral wellies rather than posh breathable gortex with separate boots. You will need such on the marsh mainly so you get down onto the mud / marsh.

Tay wildfowlers are a good club. I was a member for a number of years.

Wildfowling is more akin to deerstalking - lots of time spent in waiting and in reconnaissance and occasionally it all comes together and you shoot a couple of duck or a goose. You have to enjoy the whole process just being out on the marsh.

A pair of binoculars is a useful tool to help you identify what is quarry and what is not.
 
Depends what your side by side is but may not be suitable / steel proof
And if after geese I’d advise 3” chambers
 
Contact the Tay Valley club via BASC or directly. Find someone to talk to and take you out. The reed beds on the Tay are a bit forbidding, and you will boil in neoprene waders. Goretex tops with insulated boots are better if there is much walking anywhere. As above, Kevin Wilcox (Tidepool) is a very experienced fowler - he certainly knows the Tay - and is very approachable. (Best approached with a pint of strong cider).
If you are a romantic, read "Dark Estuary" by BB which is largely about this area back in the day.
 
Neoprene chest waders are a must, and obviously you must use none toxic shot, unless you have very deep pockets, that will probably rule out bismuth or tungsten matrix, which your old s/s can shoot, my advice would be to get yourself a reasonably priced steel proofed automatic, yes your s/s can shoot standard steel, if it's not tighter than half choke, but it's not really up to the job on the foreshore, certainly not for geese, good luck with it, I'm sure you will find a club with members that will show you the ropes, it's a great sport, and to whet your appetite, read a few books, dark estuary and tides ending by BB are fantastic books, also it'll be alright on the flight, and on the flight again by Vince Raw are a hilarious insight into the sport, best of luck.
 
P.S. you really don't need a special gun yet as long as you don't mind your piece getting a bit mucky. Using Bi for starters will not beak the bank as your cartridge use will be.......limited, especially at first.
 
Basil H said:
P.S. you really don't need a special gun yet as long as you don't mind your piece getting a bit mucky. Using Bi for starters will not beak the bank as your cartridge use will be.......limited, especially at first.
Click to expand...
This is great advice, game bore do an HP Bismuth 3 (think 4 in lead equivalent) and a box (+/-£35)will probably outlive your waders! If you find you enjoy ‘rolling around in the mud seemingly trying to drown yourself’ (a quote from my local gunshop when I first enquired) buy the cheapest hp proof semi or pump in 3.5 chamber that you can as the salt will eat them in the end. Wildfowling is great! It’s the closest way to really connect with nature, but be very aware of the ground and the tides in the dark.

This may be helpful - BASC introduction to wildfowling workshops
 
JMinter said:
I'm in fife and considering the same sport, how did your inquires go? Have you joined a club?
Click to expand...
Good ta. No club yet. I was all geared up but, unfortunately, the gun I’d been given needed a small repair which turned out to be more expensive than the gun was worth. I’ve got my eye out for a replacement but I’m in no rush.
I’ll hopefully be better set up by next season.
There’s loads of access on the Fife coast. Some of it is via day permits through the council, some via club membership.
I picked up a free pamphlet from BASC showing all the main locations and contact details. That’s worth a look for a start.
 
BASC run a “Try Wildfowling Scheme” where they put you in touch with a local (to you) Wildfowling Club where for a small cost a club member will take you on onto the club marshes for a morning or evening flight. Well worth considering to give you a real taste of what Wildfowling is like.
 
Sorry to highjack the thread, but does anyone have any recommendations for side by side shotguns with 3 inch chambers and ability to shoot high powered steel?

Ive tried but dont get on with over and unders nor semi-autos.

Thanks
 
muddy42 said:
Sorry to highjack the thread, but does anyone have any recommendations for side by side shotguns with 3 inch chambers and ability to shoot high powered steel?

Ive tried but dont get on with over and unders nor semi-autos.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I’d look at one of the Turkish manufacturers like ATA or Yildiz. They may make a modern SBS that is proofed for high performance steel. Should be too expensive either.

Looks like Yildiz do one.

 
Last edited:
co’den said:
Good ta. No club yet. I was all geared up but, unfortunately, the gun I’d been given needed a small repair which turned out to be more expensive than the gun was worth. I’ve got my eye out for a replacement but I’m in no rush.
I’ll hopefully be better set up by next season.
There’s loads of access on the Fife coast. Some of it is via day permits through the council, some via club membership.
I picked up a free pamphlet from BASC showing all the main locations and contact details. That’s worth a look for a start.
Click to expand...
Ah fair enough, is the pamphlet on the BASC website? That sounds well worthwhile!
Perhaps when we're both organised we can hit them together some time :)
 
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