Stalker62
Well-Known Member
It is something that I monitor and (currently) not something that overly concerns me.
Practically, an issue that cannot be ignored - I do not have thermal scope capability, nor do I have the finances to go out and get it.
Releasing Partridge - just like comedy - it's all about the timing...
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Practically, an issue that cannot be ignored - I do not have thermal scope capability, nor do I have the finances to go out and get it.
Borrow a thermal and have your eyes opened IMHO
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
I have a thermal spotter and it has (thus far) not alarmed me.
What I do not have, is a thermal scope to deal with anything that did alarm me.
BTW
I have electric fences and snares set. They have never produced a single fox (cue advice from the SD Massive, about how to correctly set snares)...
We all started with a lamp and many still do use one, NM800 on the rifle thermal in hand
(que the thread on how to fix a NM800 on rifle scope)
Now where is my copy of "Foxing with Lamp and Rifle" oh next to the copy of "Pigeon Shooting by Archie Coats"
We are on top of the foxes just now on my permission with the Pheasants already out, Partridge are due out very soon and you can guarantee once they are released the foxes will turn up in large numbers, This happens every year and has done for as long as I can remember
Finally a voice reason
One of our local estates down the road used to rear Pheasants and Red Legs. Sadly, I think Covid and then the bird flu' finally made the whole thing unfeasible. I think they still have a couple of family days now, but not the usual organised shoot.
I was always surprised that any Red Legs managed to reach the end of the season, due to the racket they make - even a fox with cataracts would be able to zero in on them, whereas the Pheasants always seemed to outsmart the guns and the foxes!
I was always surprised that any Red Legs managed to reach the end of the season, due to the racket they make - even a fox with cataracts would be able to zero in on them, whereas the Pheasants always seemed to outsmart the guns and the foxes!
Partridges sleep on the floor and pheasants perhaps 90 percent in tress / bushes
Yes - i also think the arrival of the partridges coincides with grass cutting and harvest time - which gets the foxes on the move
Off topic really, but foxes on a reared pheasant shoot are not generally really a major issue once the poults are mature. Can be a problem around the release pen but not by any means always. I can remember before the fox hunting ban when an estate I beat on had a fox or two in every covert, and they still shot 500 pheasants a week. Keeper would not tolerate a litter on the place but let it fill up October onwards. Then hit the earths hard with terrier’s once hunting was finished.
But as already said foxes should be hit hard on any partridge shoot.
But as already said foxes should be hit hard on any partridge shoot.
Really ?
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Fairly horrible morning this morning.
However, it is time to start loading the feeders, so I elect to dig out the old trailer.
Just the job, provided it gets around the Estate...
Up to the Partridge Pen. Those that I realised earlier in the week, seem to be hefted.
I release another 20%...
Go on, you little bugger...
No massive disasters...yet.
However, it is time to start loading the feeders, so I elect to dig out the old trailer.
Just the job, provided it gets around the Estate...
Up to the Partridge Pen. Those that I realised earlier in the week, seem to be hefted.
I release another 20%...
Go on, you little bugger...
No massive disasters...yet.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Back at the Pens this morning.
Released about another 20% of the Partridge - which leaves me with about 20% still in the Pen.
I note there is some evidence this morning of them scrapping their way out, or something scraping its way in?
Then scoot around about half the Estate to start putting wheat in the feeders.
Lifted a piece of wood and disturbed Mum (who shot off like a scalded cat), and her two babies.
Gently placed the wood back, and hope that Mum returns once I have left the scene.
Released about another 20% of the Partridge - which leaves me with about 20% still in the Pen.
I note there is some evidence this morning of them scrapping their way out, or something scraping its way in?
Then scoot around about half the Estate to start putting wheat in the feeders.
Lifted a piece of wood and disturbed Mum (who shot off like a scalded cat), and her two babies.
Gently placed the wood back, and hope that Mum returns once I have left the scene.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
I released the last batch last week and so their Pen is now empty.
Had a mooch about this morning and was delighted to see two big (everything is relativel) coveys in the locality of the Pen.
I do not expect many to get shot, but it is nice to see them about and it all adds to the diversity of the ground.
Had a mooch about this morning and was delighted to see two big (everything is relativel) coveys in the locality of the Pen.
I do not expect many to get shot, but it is nice to see them about and it all adds to the diversity of the ground.
Could be bye,bye partridge.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Could be bye,bye partridge.
Could be.
And for what it's worth, I have absolutely no problem with that.
That's a fair bit of woodland there, Stalker!Could be bye,bye partridge.
