Wildfowling

The Crown Estate grants sporting licenses for wildfowling on some areas of foreshore in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, helping to ensure that the activity is sustainably managed.

We grant sporting licences for wildfowling on some areas of foreshore within The Crown Estate's ownership, in line with the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and various national conservation related legislation, to ensure that any hunting is sustainable and compliant.

Organisations such as wildfowling clubs, which hold leases of sporting rights, help manage many of these areas, including by wardening to minimise illegal shooting, providing refuge areas where shooting is not permitted and undertaking conservation activities and survey work.

The Crown Estate established the Joint Group for Wildfowling and Conservation on Tidal Land in 1995, whose membership includes Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Meeting twice a year, the JTG examines general management issues as well as specific lease applications and renewals.

All clubs are required to submit wildfowling returns, usually by 1 April each year. The document is available for download below.