Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Serious matters
Why are people so bad at partridge shooting?
By all accounts there isn’t going to be much partridge shooting this season because of the outbreaks of avian flu in France and the associated issues surrounding the importing of stock. Which leads me to suggest that those missing their early season outings at the wee birds might head off to any of the shooting schools across this country and learn how to do it properly.
The shoot where I beat used to be a renowned partridge manor in the days when partridge shooting meant wild
English birds flaring over hedges. Even in recent years where the red-legged bird has predominated, it remains highly regarded among discerning shooters. Lately, however, visitors on the occasional let days have complained about the birds and their presentation; which, given that the keeper has more experience under his belt than most teams of Guns have between them, has ruffled a few feathers.
The first complaint is that the partridges are not high enough. Well, here’s news: we’re in East Anglia. It isn’t as flat as Noël Coward blithely asserted — having got as far as Ely, perhaps, or Wisbech — but lowering escarpments are scarce in these parts, as are deep valleys and rolling downs. So the likelihood of meeting birds like they show in the West Country or in Yorkshire, for example, is slim to nil. Aiming at birds on the edge of the stratosphere, with one eye shut and your tongue out, is off the agenda.
These birds come at you in groups of five and 10 across the top of the hedge and are gone before most visitors have put butt to shoulder. The pegs are set back 30 paces or so and the object of the exercise is to have a brace on the stubbles in front of you from each group. That is the way to do it.
The second whine is that the sun is in their eyes. Well, partridges won’t fly into the sun. So if anyone is going to be facing the sun, it will be the Guns.
Shooting suggestions
“Olive drab may not cut the mustard in Fulham, but it fits the bill on moors”
Three suggestions therefore. The Ray-bans presently in the Range Rover Sport. Why not try bringing them? Or a handy hat. A broad flat cap — rather than the wedge variety — or a racing felt with a decent brim will shade the eyes and, to some extent, mask the moonlike face that many partridges find offputting. And thirdly: why not turn to one side against the glare and shoot birds over your neighbour instead?
It’s not rude to shoot your neighbour’s birds if he can’t see them. If he does the same, it won’t matter to him anyway. It’s next to impossible to hit partridges like these directly over your peg in any case; and if you do connect the poor things will be pulverised. So better for everyone, really, if you all turn together and address these birds as crossers. And remember that for all its rapid wingbeat, the partridge is not a racing bird. It is slower than a pheasant or a pigeon. Vast swings are not required therefore. Just point and pull.
Finally, a word about clothing. The standard-issue outfit for early season outings seems to have become colourful socks, fleece waistcoat, crisply laundered shirt in sky blue or pink with a dazzling silk tie and sparkly cufflinks. A combination more likely to deter birds from coming in your direction would be hard to design. Olive drab may not cut the mustard in Fulham, but it fits the bill on moors.
As with grouse, partridges must be addressed with confidence and a degree of vigour. Take your first bird early and don’t bother shooting behind. That’s what gets you on to the friends and family pegs after lunch. Which is where everyone should want to be, really, isn’t it?
Giles Catchpole is a freelance journalist as well as a keen Shot and angler, and he has written several humorous sporting books