The rise of the REDLEG

While far more pheasants are released in the UK than partridges, it seems to me that over the past 10 years the humble redleg has become more and more popular as a quarry species. Talking to Guns, I have noticed an increasing number expressing a preference for this small, brightly coloured gamebird over its larger cousin and it got me to wondering why this should be so.

Part of the reason must be that there is simply more partridge shooting available. Shooting has never been more popular, but for a shoot to actually show a profit it must make the most of its resources and adding partridges to the mix is certainly one way to do that. Pheasants are creatures of the woodland edge and need trees to roost in whereas partridges are happiest on farmland with hedges. What ground you have that is unsuitable for pheasants may be perfect for partridges.