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Partridge Shooting

Partridge Shooting Guide

We’re all looking forward to the start of the Partridge shooting season on the 1st September. There is, of course, few greater sporting pleasures than a day on a beautiful estate in the British countryside.

Partridges are notoriously unpredictable and it takes a huge effort from an experienced keeper and his team to produce a good show of birds over the guns. Partridges will have a tendency to either fly out in ones and twos or large coveys in which will challenge the guns and their ability to lock onto that one bird. We’ve put together this handy Partridge Shooting Guide to help you along the way.

How to tackle a Partridge

How is the best way of tackling a good driven Partridge? Range doesn’t have to be excessive and Partridges will have you on your toes at the best of times with their landscape hugging characteristics. With close comparison and similar flying technique to that of the Grouse, they can be shot in the same way, out in front which is more instinctive and natural. It’s nice to think that bags do not have to be massive for maximum enjoyment. It’s just having the correct attitude for the day in order to make the most out of the spectacular shooting.

Partridge Shooting

Cartridges

If we are talking cartridges, we all look forward to early days on the Partridge at the start of the season in September and October. However, at this time these plucky little rockets don’t really require more than a 28-30g 6 shot. Unless of course, you have had the pleasure of an invite to the more hilly areas where you would most probably be best going up to a 5 shot. Regarding chokes, you will be most comfortable shooting quarter and half or even a little more open at cylinder if you so wish through a 12 gauge.

Partridge Shooting Cartridges

How fast is a Partridge?

You will find Partridges are a very misleading bird due to their rapid wing beat and smaller size, which often leads to misjudgement an overshooting. They are a fast-flying bird but not as fast as a Pheasant you may well be used to swinging through. A Partridge usually flies around 30 mph and a Pheasant about 35mph. As much as they are a deceptive bird, they are often needed to be shot instinctively and as naturally possible, taken early to avoid misunderstanding on line and lead.

Partridge Shooting

Species Spotlight

Here at Sportquest, we always provide our customers with detailed information on the speices avalible in all our tours. That’s why our fishing and shooting experts have created a series of guides called Species Spotlights. You can find more detailed information on Partridge Shooting in our Species Spotlight for the red-legged Partridge.

Partridge Shooting

Contact Us

We hope you found our Partridge shooting guide useful and if you would like to know more about our Partridge Shooting Holidays, visit our dedicated shooting pages. We also offer single gun experiences where you can travel with other like-minded enthusiasts at a reduced rate. If you would like to discuss any potential trips that you might have in mind, you can contact our shooting team leader, Peter Collingsworth by calling 01603 407596 or by emailing him directly at peter@sportquestholidays.com.

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