Gamekeeping news News Shooting

Can I take my five-shot semi-auto wildfowling?

I have a five-shot semi-auto shotgun, which I bought for pest control. My firearms certificate says I can use it to shoot birds. Can I take it out wildfowling?

Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out more.

WILDFOWLING
Graham Downing
Although your firearms certificate may allow the gun to be used for shooting birds, the law prohibits you from using it for sporting wildfowling or shooting game.

Section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits the use, when shooting birds, of semi-automatic shotguns capable of holding more than two rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.

So a three-shot semi-auto is legal.

However, if you are shooting wild birds within the terms of an open general licence, if you are culling avian pest species, including, in some circumstances, Canada geese, you may use an unrestricted semi-auto, such as a five-shot.