The Gazette-page 2

     The Alectoris Rufa or Red-legged Partridge was introduced to the British Isles many years ago to supplement the declining numbers of the native English Grey-legged Partridge. Today, the Red-leg is the sole reason that partridge shooting is still so readily available in the UK. Partridge Season opened September 1st, so this is a perfect time to take a look at these fascinating and sporting of game birds.
     The Grey Partridge will hold to cover, while the Red-legged Partridge will tend to run in front of the beaters and only fly through being pressured. A member of the Pheasant family, the Partridge grows to some 12 to 14 inches in length, with rounded wings and robust breast muscles that power their explosive take-off and flight to escape predators. It is this explosive burst of flight that presents both testing and challenging shots to the Guns.

Two Presentations
     There are two types of presentation when shooting Partridge. In the first, a team of Guns, usually eight, are placed parallel along a line of hedges or small coppices. Here, individual coveys are blanked together and, when sufficient numbers are established, the birds are driven or pushed toward the line of Guns. This is the Classic Partridge Drive, with coveys of Partridge “bomb-bursting” in all directions from the cover, up and over the hedge rows, to the waiting Guns.
     The second presentation more closely resembles the High Pheasant Drive and is becoming more and more the choice of discerning guns.

In this presentation, the judicious use of cover crops and preferred feeding places is encouraged on higher areas. Many moor owners are supplementing their Grouse cover with Red-legged Partridge and these little grey “bombers”, passing over valleys 100 feet and more above the Guns, make for extremely challenging and exciting shooting. In Spain, these “pocket rockets” are presented from high buttresses and embankments, with the Guns in the valleys – here the odds truly favour the birds – the desire of every true sportsman

Two Techniques
These two different presentations require equally differing techniques to tackle these “French Flyers”. In the first instance, the Classic Partridge Drive, the Guns will often allow the birds to come close. When the coveys hit the gun line, it separates as though detonated, with Partridge “exploding” over the Guns and scattering in all directions. This sudden burst can cause the Guns to panic and literally “poke and hope” at the covey or, to put it more traditionally, “brown the flock”. This is considered very poor shooting etiquette.

Man shooting