We invited wildfowlers from across the UK to share their experiences. In response we received accounts that are, at times, almost lyrical in their evocation of dawn, the wonders of nature, the wild birds, and the ever-changing seascapes of our coasts.
Alongside poetic reflections, many also spoke of the pride and fulfilment they gain from honing their craft and gathering their own wild food.
Wildfowlers are immersed in seasonal rhythms and a tapestry of sensory experiences, from venturing out under starlight to the rich smells of mud and the feel of shingle underfoot, which contribute to a profound connection with the natural world.
This immersion inspires deep respect for their quarry and the environment, fuelling mindful stewardship and the conservation work they deliver. Wildfowling can be a solitary activity, but the experiences shared weave people together, showing a craft learned through lived moments and relationships forged within communities and across family generations. It’s a meaningful contributor to people’s sense of place, and the enduring character of specific coastal and wetland settings.
Each narrative, poetic or practical, is rich with references to the sights, sounds and sensations that make wildfowling such a profoundly sensory pursuit.
Applying Generic Learning Outcomes (which DCMS has described as providing valuable evidence and insight) to look at the cultural experience of wildfowling on practitioners, we noted examples of: inspiration, enjoyment, skills, cultural belonging, empathy, patience, knowledge and more.
You can browse a selection of wildfowling memories below:
Becoming a wildfowler is not an event, it is a process, shaped by interests, experience, mentorship and love of place. For some, it is inherited through ties to family, nature and landscapes, traditions passed down across generations. For others, it begins with a memorable outing that forges a lasting connection. In all cases, becoming a wildfowler involves more
Living heritage include practices shared and safeguarded by communities. It is seldom passed on through “official channels”. It is held in trust, conserved, developed and transmitted through the communities that value and continue these practices. It follows that the UK’s Living Heritage Inventories process is based on a grass roots approach that requires clear evidence that the inclusion of practices on the inventory
A long-established tradition Evidence from Skara Brae shows that wildfowl were being taken for food in the Neolithic period, requiring detailed knowledge of bird behaviour and coastal environments. By medieval times, wildfowlers had developed specialised equipment, including distinct arrowheads and mist nets. Almost certainly, mud pattens (used to walk across marsh and mud) were in use by then. Meanwhile,
