Releasing Partridge - just like comedy - it's all about the timing...

[Stalker62]

@stavross
@jall55
@Rhodesianjess


We have this year, for the first time, taken on some Partridges on our wee Shoot.

It is only to add another dimension to the days; and to encourage the birds on the Estate - we have some wild French and English on the ground.

These Partridge are Spanish. Who knew?

I have had them in their Pen for two weeks today, and was minded to start 'trickling' them out over the next day or so.

Before I open Pandora's box...





Any Keepers on here have any hard earned lessons they want to share, or words of wisdom to impart, don't by shy...

 

[Oracle]

I always had a 100% return on partridges, but insisted on a heavy financial penalty for any “Gun” that ever shot an English….however if the “Gaffer” was involved, any such penalty was always open to negotiation….

 

[stavross]

With the lay of our land we are not set up to have partridges, they have asked me a couple of times about putting them down and it will always be a no, on my mates place they put about 500 down ( flat farm land ) he normally gets them a week to 10 days before they start shooting at about 14 weeks old, has them in a couple of release pens for a week then lets them out, they get a good return on them, there’s always plenty about over the summer, some from last year, some that have wandered in

 

[Stalker62]

... a heavy financial penalty for any “Gun” that ever shot an English…

We did not allow any shots on Partridge for my first four years (they were all wild), because I was not confident that the Guns could be 'trusted'.

Last season (with a couple of healthy coveys about), we allowed limited shots for those who felt confident enough to identity French from English.

One of the Guns (lovely bloke), went on to shoot his first ever Partridge.


You know the rest...

 

[Stalker62]

...normally gets them a week to 10 days before they start shooting at about 14 weeks old, has them in a couple of release pens for a week then lets them out...

For reasons that are irrelevant (and beyond my control), they were delivered at the same time as my Pheasants.
I understand the timing is not ideal.

Our first Shoot day is not until October and so I fear the worst...

But we are where we are.

 

[Stalker62]

With the lay of our land we are not set up to have partridge...

@stavross

BTW

Very jealous of the work party you were able too muster together.

All looks to be going terribly well.

 

[Tim.243]

@stavross
@jall55
@Rhodesianjess


We have this year, for the first time, taken on some Partridges on our wee Shoot.

It is only to add another dimension to the days; and to encourage the birds on the Estate - we have some wild French and English on the ground.

These Partridge are Spanish. Who knew?

I have had them in their Pen for two weeks today, and was minded to start 'trickling' them out over the next day or so.

Before I open Pandora's box...

View attachment 378415



Any Keepers on here have any hard earned lessons they want to share, or words of wisdom to impart, don't by shy...


View attachment 378414

All the pens around here have a fox wire around, you need a lot of cover. Quite often the pen is in the maze or next to it.
The shoot behind me has 10 red leg pens, most wait until the combine has been put away.
One farm asked me why do we see so many foxes, because they don't roost so food not on the ground.
He stopped the partridges the fox numbers went down after 2 years (despite me shooting a lot of them)
I did them one year at the owners request shot a few but lack of cover was the problem also tenant farm was late combining so that chopped up a few!

Shoot the nuts out the foxes...

 

[Greenmist]

Once they're wormed, let them out a few at a time, in the hope they hang around the area for shoot day

 

[jall55]

Let them out Stalker
I tend to let most out all at once - many will disagree

I dont want the released birds hanging round the pen - they are too easy a target for raptors as the sit talking to their brethren in the pen

I also dont leave any in the pen to act as call birds as some do for similar reasons

I have put in covers over the last few years to suit them - thinner - lower than for the pheasants and i have created many many rides and "banks" and ponds and pools in the woods that they simply love

Its a lot of effort but the shooting is superb ! - good luck

 

[jall55]

Also if you are lucky enough to have Greys - dont be tempted to release more greys as they will push each other off - do the work - control the vermin and they will breed

The partridges transformed our shoot as the moment you are on your peg you need to be ready

 

[jall55]

With the lay of our land we are not set up to have partridges, they have asked me a couple of times about putting them down and it will always be a no, on my mates place they put about 500 down ( flat farm land ) he normally gets them a week to 10 days before they start shooting at about 14 weeks old, has them in a couple of release pens for a week then lets them out, they get a good return on them, there’s always plenty about over the summer, some from last year, some that have wandered in

Stav - Our land is very very steep in places and over 50 percent is clearfell regen - The partridges love it - Maybe have a go with a few mate

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Definitely agree with the lads,jugging redlegs in groups are fox fodder. IMO to be successful with partridge you need acreage and the correct mix of cover. Pure maize for instance,if you can see your truck parked at the far end then partridge will have to be walked into it, they won't be waiting there like pheasants. Low cover, just knee/thigh height is ideal. We spin mustard on the stubble, only last for 2 frosts and 1 high wind so not a lot of good for pheasants.
Release - two schools of thought 1: keep some call birds in the pen to hopefully anchor those released 2: let some out day or two before shoot day. Conscience will dictate which school you adhere to.
This estate,boss doesn't want to see pens out after 1st September so his sandpit his rules.
Overwinter birds will help anchor released ones,if you still have them a year later they're not going anywhere now and might put sense in youngsters. Beware though, after a day or two they quite often pack together, meaning one large volley and the drive's over
In all honesty, unless you have exactly what partridges need,spend the money on pheasants, they're easier to keep. Partridges have broken plenty of hardworking keepers hearts.
Best of luck in your endeavours @Stalker1962

 

[Pedro]

Sadly, released partridges do seek wider horizons even than pheasants. Although it's too late this time I guess, I found it best to have 2 partridge pens, even if strictly not needed due to numbers. That way, partridges that are "bumped" either by predators or beaters will hopefully fly from one to the other. Also better for placing guns. I get the reasons for keeping some in the pen(s), or not doing that. I found that keeping a handful in the pens better, especially where the shoot acreage isn't vast. Where you have a lot of ground, letting them all go isn't a problem. Except you never really know on which drive they might appear. Which is all part of the fun of course. Another thing to be aware of is that you might well get coveys taking off from open-ish land. Just something to be aware of. It might, for example be beneficial for beaters to cover such areas surrounding their usual wood beating duties. Maybe a wing man/woman each side of a wood as it's driven along as an example.

It's true that released partridges add to a work load for a keeper and results, for no discernible reason are either good or bad. But they do provide a welcome variation for guns, so for that reason probably worth doing. Maybe.

 

[old 30-06]

Stalker1962, I have had quite a lot of experience with partridge in the past. It is good that you have had them in the pen for a couple of weeks to look upon the area as "home". Depending on the number you have, best practice is to raise a corner of the pen and "trickle" some out. If you have 50 or so, then try to let a nice sized covey (8 to10) out. Leave it two days and repeat.

If you have 400 or so in the pen, then let them out in 20's to 30's. It is not precise, as you can never count them exactly, and do not worry if you "go over budget". Partridge are labour intensive, but worth it in the end. My friend and I used to look after 12,000 partridge, (and a similar number of pheasant).

If you are worried about them "holding" on your shoot, then shoot them harder in the early days in preference to pheasant. Good luck.

 

[old keeper]

I once tried partridges (French) just once, a total waste of time, within a couple of days they were gone. I seem to remember just two were shot all season, where they went only they knew!

 

[Stalker62]

I once tried partridges (French) just once, a total waste of time, within a couple of days they were gone.

Well that's rather depressing to read.

We did try with Ducks two years ago. We really struggled for water. Electric fence all around the (dried out) pond.

Next day I found one taken. The following day, they had all (and I mean every single one) fcuked off.

OK, back to the Partridge family...







So here is what I am going to do.

I have just ordered some wormer stuff (due tomorrow), which I can add to the Partridge's water.

Have them on that for two or three days, then I will start to trickle them out over the rest of the week.

As our first shoot day is not until October, I will not be surprised if they wander off into the sunset - but, we will see.

They may decide to may the Estate their home.

 

[jall55]

Well that's rather depressing to read.

We did try with Ducks two years ago. We really struggled for water. Electric fence all around the (dried out) pond.

Next day I found one taken. The following day, they had all (and I mean every single one) fcuked off.

OK, back to the Partridge family...



View attachment 378457



So here is what I am going to do.

I have just ordered some wormer stuff (due tomorrow), which I can add to the Partridge's water.

Have them on that for two or three days, then I will start to trickle them out over the rest of the week.

As our first shoot day is not until October, I will not be surprised if they wander off into the sunset - but, we will see.

They may decide to may the Estate their home.

Hand feed / spin feed them into the drives / covers where you want them - use sunflowers / chopped maize - We dont have a vast area and ours have been amazing - returning believe it or believe it not - exactly the same return on pheasants if you are interested in that sort of thing - Us - we love having them coming off the banks and whizzing across the terrain - awesome !

 

[old 30-06]

Stalker1962, If you have any farm roads or tracks on the shoot then try feeding crushed maize on to them. Whilst one of you drives the other can dribble it out of the bag from the passenger door as you go along. Partridge love it and they have to work for it, so it keeps them there. Works really well until the weather turns wet.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

@Stalker1962 mentioned your dilemma to my brother last night, professional keeper himself in Norfolk. His answer much the same as mine and the other contributors, you really need acreage to hold them.
He informed me that they bought in 20k of redlegs from Spain, delivery wagon to the centre of his estate and released there and then out the crates. This on top of what he released from his rearing field.
Asked him about return rate, answer same as most years. Must bear in mind his estate is farmed/set out for shooting. Ever field has a drill width of permanent cover on 2 sides plus 1700 acres of sugar beet! In addition, large plots of maize/millet mix game cover for the drives.
Hence the conclusion that acreage and habitat most important for partridge.

 

[Dunwaters]

Rather than just driving them, would you consider shooting a few walked up over pointers?
Not as iconic as grouse perhaps but a long long way from boring and it might give you an extra day or 2?