Partridge, Pear Trees and Small Bores

What makes the grey partridge so special, and why is its French cousin now a far more familiar sight on British shoots?

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With the partridge season underway, Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner take a look at one of Britain's classic game birds.

Jake has already been lucky enough to shoot both red-legged and wild grey partridge this season, which leads into the differences between the two birds, why grey numbers declined so dramatically and the habitat and predator management required to restore wild populations.

They also get into the shooting itself, including walked-up versus driven partridge, why they somehow appear faster than pheasants, identifying greys and red-legs on the wing, and the particular challenge and privilege of shooting a sustainable surplus of wild English birds.

Then there are cartridges, small-bore guns, early season shooting in shirt sleeves and Jake briefly believing he had mastered the .410 before normal service quickly resumed.

Finally, they turn to the table and ask whether young partridge might actually be one of the finest game birds to eat.

In this episode:

• Grey versus red-legged partridge
• Why red-legs are known as French partridge
• The decline and conservation of the wild grey
• Habitat, chick food and predator management
• What a covey is
• Walked-up and driven partridge shooting
• Why partridge can be deceptively difficult to hit
• Identifying quarry before taking a shot
• 12-bores, 20-bores, 28-bores and .410s
• Steel cartridges and lighter early season loads
• Why the season begins on 1 September
• Why partridge deserves a place on the dinner table

Useful links:

• BASC: Shooting seasons
• Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust: Conserving the grey partridge
• GWCT: Partridge Count Scheme

Please note: Grey and red-legged partridge seasons and regulations vary across the UK. Wild greys should only be shot where monitoring shows a sustainable surplus. Always follow current legislation and the instructions given at the shoot briefing.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.