Pheasant age, when to shoot?

[rimfire4969]

I am just sorting this seasons dates for our syndicate and the conversation has been started about what age the Pheasants should be.

At what age do you start shooting them?

[B725]

Minimum 22 weeks providing they have grown well 

[ChrisWill184]

We would normally get them in at 7 - 8 weeks old come end July/ start August and be shooting them the first week in November. That’s about 20 to 22 weeks as a guide but it really depends on your birds.

We have had pens where the birds grow quick and tail up well, ultimately being suitable earlier. In the same year we have also seen another pen full of pheasants that didn’t want to leave the floor, had tailed up poorly and all out weren’t able to be called ‘sporting’. They were at least 2 weeks behind the rest.

Don’t be scared to leave them an extra week if they just don’t look good enough. Won’t do you any favours trying to drive out daisy cutters to a team of standing guns.

Our syndicate has always been flexible with dates in that respect so hopefully your guys won’t feel hard done by if that happens. 

[twenty]

As Above, 22-24 weeks minimum, but judge the birds condition, and go from there.

[figgy]

Good cold snap pushes the tails out and feathers them up. It's too much wet weather we don't want.

You'll know when your birds are ready, put a proviso in place for first date, only goes ahead if birds are ready.

[rimfire4969]

We always aim for about 22 weeks so are going to keep it like that this season if they are up to it.