Driven Partridge what to expect

[night stalker]

Hi

although Ive been on a walk one stand one pheasant shooting syndicate for about 7 years Ive never been partridge shooting so a mate has booked for the pair of us (he has shot them before) to go on a 135 bird driven day on the 30th September.

Although he has told me not to worry about it, I'm looking for some hints and tips to help me on the day. I intend to take my Beretta 12bore and some Gamebore Black Gold 30 gram 6's but what should I expect? How do they fly compared to you average pheasant?

Thanks

​Rick

 

[rick6point5]

Fast and low in my opinion, you will have a great day

 

[perdix]

I can say probably partridges

But seriously as has been stated fast and low unless the ground is hilly.They will appear out of now where and from almost any direction so you have to be ready.
​I'm pretty sure you'll have a ball mate.Enjoy

 

[Willie]

Hi Nightstalker,

A lot depends on the topography of the land. I've been on shoots where you are positioned behind butts on white grass moorland and the partridge are like driven grouse and others where the pegs are down woodland gills and the shooting is more like high pheasant. Cartridge choice seems OK (I use 28g Black Gold). Compared to pheasant the birds seem to fly faster but this might be an optical illusion due to their size.

Whatever the terrain the action will be fast and furious and you will have a great time.

Willie

 

[limulus]

Although smaller they are in general slower than pheasies. If theres a decent wind they'll probably drive them with the wind on one flank, pushing them towards the wind and then they'll quarter over the guns....fantastic sport.
Dont worry about taking long crossers...its expected when partridge shooting
Just dont pull through the line and try and take them early on the rise (blot em out )

 

[perdix]

Last few years I've started using a 20 bore for game shooting and with 28g cartridges it'll drop birds just dandy so you'll be fine with your choice of ammo and gun I'm sure.
You've got to go with the intention of having some fun and if you do miss the first few so what?I've found that if I start to analyse too much a lot of fun goes out the window and I miss even more!

 

[norma 308]

All of above with one word of caution with the partridge at this time of year and something we all should do but when your excited Keep your EYES open for flag men and beaters if in doubt DON'T pull the trigger .
norma

 

[shotguntom]

They actually fly a little slower than pheasants but they appear from no where and come over you a lot lower in a swooping fashion, which makes then seem quicker.

I found the best method is to not think about the shot too much and let natural instinct play its role, but generally once your infront pull the trigger and keep swinging through!!

Saftey is of course paramount but so is enjoying it! Nothing like a covey coming over you and picking your shots.

Tom

 

[Naseby]

Just to add to everything that has been said do watch out for hen pheasants in amongst them.
they will be out of season on your date and the smaller ones can be mistaken in the heat of the moment.

it may be worth going along to a good clay club and just practising on stands that simulate their flight.

Hope you have a great day - I have just the two days in September this season

 

[paul o']

i use u/o and use the top barrel 1/4/1/4 with 7.1/2 28 black gold my choice, i keep two cart between my left fingers for speed loading as it can be a continueing flow of low driven curling birds , always have sky above the tree/or other and most of all enjoy your day i just love it .ps remember the beaters are there for zero or very little reward ! so be nice as without them your day will be crap
paul o'

 

[paul o']

+1
on the hens we have a £100 for each one shot it soon makes you think on the first wake up drive lol

 

[MauserM03]

May have been said already but technically slower than pheasants, though seem faster because they don't have such a predictable flight path and will change height and dive all over the place. In my experience they are also very aware of the guns and react very quickly to seeing your face staring up at them, so a good brimmed cap is useful.

I think they are excellent sport requiring a slightly different skill set and are also, arguably, better eating than pheasant.

 

[howy308]

After grouse shooting I find the partridge the next best, The day always depends on the lay of the land if the beaters can lift the birds or not but in a safe enviroment both can be excellent days. A lot more agile bird than a pheasant with as above unpredictable in flight. Delicious eating !

 

[night stalker]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, I'm really looking forward to it. As was mentioned my biggest worry is taking a hen pheasant by mistake. I'm not sure what the land is like as I have only seen a couple of photo's.

Thanks

Rick

 

[User00001]

Take sunglasses! Some means of holding your cartridges when you take your jacket off? I tend to wear a smart green or brown shirt rather than a tattersall one when I'm loading, probably doesn't make much difference but I don't like to feel like I'm standing out.

 

[welshwarrior]

Watch the hedge lines if you shoot them swing through ( bum belly beak bang) you'll be fine maintained lead add about half as much again compared to pheasants

30g of 7s for me 3/8 3/8 choke or 1/4 1/2 if you've not got them.


The key to shooting well relax and enjoy it.

 

[Dalua]

I can say probably partridges

...which you may wish to shoot.

Also expect young pheasants rashly pretending to be partridges, which you may wish to refrain from shooting.

when you take your jacket off?

When you do WHAT??????

You'll be taking your ties and collars off next, and thenwhere would we all be?

 

[Wingers243]

You will have a great time. Don't over choke your gun if you have a choice in the matter. Remember that partridge are definitely slower the pheasants but their low flight leads to plenty of people taking 'poke & hope' shots. Also big coveys confuse the eys and lead to plenty of mind changing.

Best thing I can say is make damn sure you pick your bird. Keep focus on the bird, bore holes in it with your eyes and (provided it doesn't turn away to a neighbour which they are prone to do) believe what your eyes are telling you, swing smoothly through and take it without delay!

 

[User00014]

im on a partridge day on the 19th , its my first driven game day for prob 6 yrs . again im following suit and using back gold 28g 6.5's but because i have only just got back into shotgun shooting and after shooing a rifle almost daily since im thinking of shooting bottom barrel imp cyl and top 1/4 choke .

or is that too open ? i used to shoot fixed 1/4 and 1/2 fixed back then .

to say im a tad rusty in an under statement

 

[baguio]

Open chokes if you're using 30 grams. Don't dwell on the shot. Like others have said these birds are agile so pick your bird, stick with it and let your gun swing do the work. Also check where the pickers up are standing before each drive starts. The keeper or his assistant should advise on arcs of fire but don't be afraid to ask if you're unsure. They want you to have a good day as much as you do! I always think it's nice to have a chat with the beaters before the day starts. There will not be many guns over the season who bother with this so you will be remembered for all the right reasons!
Have fun and don't worry. Your shooting experience will take care of most things anyway.
Baguio