Is Quail Hunting With Pointers Common In The Uk?

[ALECTORIS 113]

Hi everyone.

 

We're in the middle of the summer season here in Northern Spain, with quail shooting as the most important hunt around. It is in my opinion, along with woodcock hunting, the most spectacular hunt to do with pointing dogs, and I'm curious if you hunt them up in the UK.

I've read about japanese quail hunting (mostly falconry) or bobwhite quail hunting, but I haven't read anything about shooting common quail.

Do you hunt them?

If so, how long does the season last?

 

Cheers.

[CharlieSlade 14]

The occasional ones which are very sparse are protected in the uk and bobwhite aren't in the uk but I know that around Texas part of US they do a lot, the Japanese (cortunix) quail are the common quail

[stroller 341]

We never see quail up in the north of the UK More common to hunt grouse, partridge and pheasant and of course rabbit with pointers

[DIDO.1 22,831]

I saw a pair 2 years ago in Lancashire.

[ALECTORIS 113]

Thank you.

 

I didn't know they were protected in the UK.

 

When I said bobwhites and japanese I meant released ones. That is very common to do in Spain in order to train the dogs before the summer season, but I prefer to start the new dogs with wild common quails (Coturnix coturnix) which are quite abundant in certain areas, than with released japanese ones (Coturnix japonica) whose flight is very poor and often allows the dog to catch it after a couple of flights ruining the pointing instinct.

 

Thank you again for your answers, they've been very helpful.

 

Oh, and, if you ever have the chance to hunt them with pointers (in Spain, Italy or Morocco) don't hesitate. Pointings are amazingly beautyful.

 

Here's a pic of last thursday's two hour hunt result. Hope you like it.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[farmerkev09 105]

You can't release quail in the UK it's against the law

[CharlieSlade 14]

Yeah, if i could I'd let mine go because they've stopped laying because of the nights drawing in. Looks more like they'll be going for a visit to the butchers, anyone know how much you can get for a brace of quail?

[ALECTORIS 113]

I'd say a couple of onions, garlic and a nice dash of olive oil!!!

 

[ALECTORIS 113]

Now, seriuosly, good to know you can't release them there, by the way.

[farmerkev09 105]

I rear a few hundred for a hawking friend every few weeks he gives me 10p each day old. keeps the incubator going out of season and he supplies the eggs and what he doesn't use on his own birds he sells for 90p each

[Nick_Ua 8]

What about snipe hunting in UK with Pointers?

Is that hunting common or not?

In Ukraine we are find this bird is very attractive and hard to hit when we hunt with our bird dogs.

This trophies from my hunting in Sep 2014.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Nick_Ua

[stroller 341]

We hunt snipe not exclusively on its own but as part of what we call "Rough shooting" Where the bag is a mix of pheasant, rabbit, woodcock, pigeon and if your a good enough shot snipe.

 

My own pointer is three next march and he has just started to recognise woodcock as a bird to shoot but as yet I haven't had a point on snipe. Possibly because my shooting is so bad I haven't hit one in several years.

[Nick_Ua 8]

Thank you.

Now understand. When in Uk you can hunt a snipe? In Ukraine when we can shoot a pheasant in October, snipe as usual flies south.

[stroller 341]

yes Nick snipe are a regular part of our shooting season from August 12th until January 31st

[Nick_Ua 8]

We can hunt snipe from second Saturday of Augusts till last weekend of December.