The Grey (English) Partridge has always been native to the UK. Its red-legged cousin (French Partridge) was introduced by the Romans, and has come to be regarded as an indigenous bird species in the UK.
The reason for this is that the reds have proved far more adaptable and frankly provide better and more consistent driven shooting in both the UK and Spain.
Nowadays, the reds have extended the season by six weeks and also provide a wonderful variety of sport which is not so dependent on steeply undulating ground. To see a large covey of partridges, star-bursting across a grassy valley, is a wonderful sight.
The line of guns, traditionally between 6 and 9 people, stand at pegs which are set wide apart, normally 20 to 35 yards. The birds are then driven over the guns in as challenging a manner as possible, topography and weather depending. The object is to make the shooting as difficult as possible.
In the UK we start on 1st September and, with a few notable exceptions, most pure driven partridge days are over by mid November. From late October onwards, they mix in with the pheasants which provides fabulous variety.
In Spain we start driven partridge shooting in September and shoot through to the second week in March.
PARTRIDGE AVAILABILITY
- Scotland, 10 Sep 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 11 Sep 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- England, 19 Sep 12, 350 birds, £37 + vat per bird
- Scotland, 21 Sep 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 22 Sep 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 1 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 2 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- England, 5 Oct 12, 350 birds, £43 per bird
- Scotland, 8 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- England, 8 Oct 12, 350 birds, £37 + vat per bird
- Scotland, 9 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 12 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + vat per bird
- Scotland, 13 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + vat per bird
- Scotland, 19 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
- Scotland, 20 Oct 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
