Introduced by the Romans, the pheasant has come to be regarded as an indigenous bird species in both the UK and Eastern Europe.
There are only a few shoots which still rely on purely wild birds as they depend on a good, dry summer which is not something that the British Isles are noted for. Therefore, to ensure reliable and consistent sport whatever the summer breeding season may bring, most shoots prefer to supplement the wild stock. This is done with six week old birds, released in July and August so that they are fully 'wild' by the time the shooting season begins.
To see a cock pheasant climb noisily over the guns on a frosty morning is redolent of all things British.
Pheasants are wonderfully adaptable birds and they are the corner stone of the English pheasant shooting season and there are many who believe the high curling pheasant to be the finest challenge of all shooting sports.
The season in the UK runs from 1st October - 1st February. However, all but a few Estates do not consider pursuing them before late October. Towards the end of the season, bag numbers tend to tail off.
PHEASANT AVAILABILITY
- England, 30 Oct 10, 400 birds, £35 + vat per bird
- Wales, 1 Nov 10, 350 birds, £35 + vat per bird
- England, 8 Nov 10, 300 birds, £35 + vat per bird
- England, 12 Nov 10, 250 birds, £31 + vat per bird
- England, 12 Nov 10, 250 birds, £31 + vat per bird
- Czech Republic, 13 Nov 10, 400 birds, €32.50 per bird
- Czech Republic, 14 Nov 10, 400 birds, €32.50 per bird
- England, 26 Nov 10, 250 birds, £31 + vat per bird
- England, 26 Nov 10, 250 birds, £33 no vat per bird
- England, 29 Nov 10, 300 birds, £35 + vat per bird
- England, 3 Dec 10, 400 birds, £37 + vat per bird
- England, 17 Dec 10, 300 birds, £35 + vat per bird
- England, 10 Jan 11, 300 birds, £42.50 + vat per bird
- England, 14 Jan 11, 300 birds, £42.50 + vat per bird
- England, 24 Jan 11, 250 birds, £42.50 + vat per bird
