The delights of wildfowling
With the new season around the corner, Tom Sykes explains why he loves being a wildfowler.
Despite doing most types of shooting, I would identify as a wildfowler first and foremost. It is more than a sport to me – I would consider it as a way of life. I don’t like to think wildfowling as a sport because I don’t shoot for sporting purposes; I head out on to the saltings as a hunter gatherer. It takes dedication to the craft to drag yourself out of bed on those freezing, wet winter mornings with no guarantee of a shot. Wildfowling isn’t all about pulling the trigger but getting out in one of the wildest environments that remains in Britain to pit your wits against a quarry that shouldn’t be underestimated.
A wildfowler needs plenty of patience as there can be many lulls in the action.
However, there is always something to watch and my binoculars are typically used far more often than my gun. These aren’t merely to spy on the distant flight patterns of quarry, but also to observe the other comings and goings on the foreshore.
Wildfowlers can be known as glorified twitchers as they spend more time watching than shooting, but this is just as interesting. Redshank skimming over the decoys and landing on the edge of the water bobbing their heads and trying to establish if the decoys are real or not is always a joy to see.
Sci-fi effect
Mobs of lapwing, with their wavering flight, effortlessly fly low overhead in the twilight while providing a distinctive “peewit” call that would be a fitting sound effect for a sci-fi film. Encountering the marvellous sights and sounds from the wealth of red listed species going about their routines is what makes visiting the foreshore unique.
Most wildfowlers gain a wealth of knowledge over time that helps to identify most species through flight patterns, silhouettes and calls. All this from sitting in the cold mud, watching and learning. I know that the call of waders creates that nostalgic feeling of being on the marsh as a youngster waiting for the whistle of wings to come out of the half-light.
As well as being tuned into the wildlife, heading out on the foreshore can also be great way to unwind and get lost in your own thoughts. It is often a relaxing place to be in the right conditions as the tide creeps in and laps against the mud banking. It is often slow paced and a beautiful landscape to contemplate. Those cool, calm sunny evenings may not be the best wildfowling weather but it sure beats being stuck indoors. It doesn’t seem to matter that the chances are slim, because there is always a chance. There are plenty of times where I sit with Charlie, or a friend, and put the world to rights with a stunning backdrop. Often being disturbed from debate by a duck or goose taking full advantage of our laps in concentration. Even the dogs seem to enjoy the slower-paced style of shooting and savour every retrieve. I am sure Goose remembers them as much as I do.
Keeping it fresh
As much as sitting and relaxing can be good for the soul and recharging, the aim of a hunter-gatherer is to bag something for the table. My local knowledge helps provide me with plenty of shooting opportunities throughout the winter months and I have already begun to plan this seasons strategies going off last year’s intel. My craft has
developed over the years and there always seems to be a new creek, tide or weather combination I wish to try.
It’s amazing how shooting the same creek but 50 yards a part can make a difference. The time of year and weather provide the most variables as something that didn’t work today could work tomorrow. These different elements help keep my passion alive and what I love about tidal wildfowling.
Adrenaline
Occasionally the stars align and when they do you can buckle in for some of the best action that will get the blood pumping and the adrenaline levels up. I have received my fair share of luck from the wildfowling gods and been presented with some of the most amazing duck and goose shooting that most people would sacrifice their right arm for.
Mornings with a strong wind and an ambush location between thousands of pinkfeet and the feeding grounds has to be up there with some of the most adrenalinefuelled shooting. Unlike most shooting where you strive for that tall pheasant or long crossing pigeon, I want my quarry as low and as close as I can and that is where the excitement is found on the marsh. A strong headwind will keep the birds down and well within range of the gun.
The goose fever really strikes when you are hunkered down in a wet and muddy hole trying to remain hidden as hundreds of geese flight towards you low while calling. You must steady your nerves, try to get into the best position you can before they appear overhead and provide the best chance at a shot that you could dream of.
Despite being close and a relatively easy target, the cold deep mud and awkward shooting positions means that a miss can happen far too easily and often. I have seen some of the best shooters buckle under the pressure when the geese are perfect.
Ducks are in good numbers locally and produce wonderful opportunities. One of my favourite spots shoots well on a morning tide around November with a slight breeze and sun. The birds hook around the corner of the meandering gutter and straight into the decoys. I always setup in the dark and get a few silhouette chances in the half-light as birds appear out of the gloom, before the morning sun creeps over the horizon. Those cool mornings with the nice winter sun give me the advantage as the sun helps to conceal my position while fully illuminating the birds, making it perfect conditions to pick out the drakes in full plumage.
I have always had a passion for wildfowling, and it is one that has only developed with age. I hope to be able to continue to stride out across the marsh for many years to come while furthering my knowledge and experiences across the UK. All I need now is for that 3.30am alarm call on 1 September.
“Some of the best shooters buckle under the pressure”