In the years following the Second World War, a few dedicated Wildfowlers saw the need to control the activities of those shooting on the Wash. In 1952 the club was formed, in 1954 it became affiliated to WAGBI, now know as BASC.
Those few, with a lot of hard work, obtained shooting rights from local landowners, and subsequently respect from for Wildfowlers. Through their efforts and foresight, the club exists, and today our members enjoy sport over the largest area of the Wash.
South Lincolnshire Wildfowlers club not only encourages shooting, it actively promotes Conservation:- Duck ringing and release programmes have been implemented and members to date have released well over 25,000 wildfowl. The vast majority being Mallard onto unshot waters; but Shelduck, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese and Pintail have all been reared and released locally.
The future lies in safeguarding the habitat that our Wildfowl need to breed and overwinter. It is in our interests to promote practical conservation and try to educate new ‘Young Blood’ about all field sports. In turn we hope that they will realise; and indeed receive the great pleasure and strength of character gained from Wildfowling, field sports and conservation.
Through the clubs affiliation to BASC, members receive all normal benefits associated with BASC membership.
An aerial shot of Frampton and Kirton Marshes.
High tides which cover some of the foreshore occur every 12 ½ hours getting approximately ½ an hour later every day. The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun & moon, and the biggest tides come just after full moon, then 14 days after new moon. These are spring tides, when the sea rises a long way and goes down a long way. The smallest tides in between are called Neap tides. Annual Tide Tables can be bought locally in and around Boston;- but make sure it is for BOSTON.
Tide tables tell you the predicted time & height of the tides for the area. You will soon learn what the heights mean for the marshes that you shoot over e.g. what height fills the creek or lets you stand it out on a high spot.
BEWARE: Tides can vary from what is predicted in severe, windy or low pressure weather. Onshore winds at high tide can ‘push’ the tide in much higher and faster than you would normally expect!
Knowing and understanding the tides is fundamental to safe and successful wildfowling. At very low tides (5.0m) only the bottom of the creeks will be full of water, with no chance of any water in the pools. During big tides (anything over 7.5m), most of the marshes, including the vegetation will be covered. Tides can get as high as 8.5m, when the only safe place is on the sea bank.
The picture above and the one below show a creek at low water and a similar creek only 2 hours later. The speed at which the tide comes in, coupled with the height that it could reach, are regularly be affected by the weather. A strong north-easterly wind will bring the tide in faster, & probably higher -although it’s not always the case.
The Sea Is Beautiful But Dangerous – Respect It And Never Take Foolish Risks
ALWAYS CHECK TIDE TIMES AND HEIGHTS BEFORE VENTURING ONTO THE MARSHES
REMEMBER TO TAKE BRITISH SUMMER TIME INTO ACCOUNT !
Historical research has shown that the development of punt-gunning into the sport that is known today probably took place in the first decade of the 19th century. Although Wildfowling has altered considerably since then, punt gunning and the equipment used has changed little.
Punt-gunning is a highly selective and tactical stalking sport involving the use of a combination of the weather, the tides, the light and wildfowl habitats. The punt-gunner has to propel his craft, often lying in the prone position requiring exceptional skill, strength and physical fitness.
A general strategy is to depart with an ebbing tide after dawn, return with the flood before dusk, so enabling the punting to take place during the hours of daylight, often in full view of the quarry.
Gunning-punts are painted a shade of pale grey similar to that of a Kittiwakes back. Off-white clothing is also worn to allow the occupants an element of camouflage blending with glistening wet mud or dry sand which give different reflections along the tides edge.
A punt-gun is simply a big-bore shotgun generally too large to be discharged from the shoulder and therefore fired from a punt. They are loaded with course-grained black powder, oakum providing excellent wadding and BB as the best all-round shot.
Today small numbers of punt-gunners have a well organised and corporate voice through the BASC. It is likely that the decline in punt-gunning that has taken place throughout the 20th century will continue, as more punt-guns pass into collectors hands, never to be used again.
