SPORTING ANSWERS

Partridge disappearing act

GAMEKEEPING

Q We saw a covey of English partridges on our shoot immediately after harvest and saw them for the second time in early January. No one had seen them in between. Had they been there the whole time, out of sight, or do you think they moved somewhere else and came back?

A They have probably been there the whole time, but they will have moved fields in between the two sightings that you mention.

English partridges are masters at hiding and going unseen and, at times, can worry you to death if you are expecting to see them.

Not seeing them regularly is actually a good thing and a sign that the habitat is to their liking and that they have a regular food supply.

They will become more visible when they split up into pairs and vanish again once territories are established and the hens start nesting. LB

How vital is steadiness?

So, yes, steadiness is important for your dog, but there is merit in the advice you have been given about too much steadiness possibly flattening a dog’s hunting drive. Balance here is key.

Start your puppy by allowing him to chase his retrieves,