Rez 4,961 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I've been asked by one of my permission owners if I can shoot the moorhens that are "apparently" stealing duck eggs and such, causing this and that amount of trouble. Anyhow, I told him no, it's "not really my kind of thing (name)", anyhow, you can't eat them... can you?" To which he's assured me there on the list, to which I said "im sure it's only a shotgun quarry..." I've been on BASC and it is on there but I'm not sure about with an airgun? And I'd probably still not really want too, but it could allow him to find someone that would, if you catch my drift. Quote Link to post
philpot 5,035 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I have shot moorhens and coots in years gone by and eaten them. With a shotgun, no problem but with an air rifle would be tricky as the head movement on both birds would make it very hard for a head shot, that is assuming it was legal to shoot them. I have never heard of moorhens taking duck eggs, I would go as far as to say that is bullsh1t Rez IMO. Phil 1 Quote Link to post
Rez 4,961 Posted December 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I have shot moorhens and coots in years gone by and eaten them. With a shotgun, no problem but with an air rifle would be tricky as the head movement on both birds would make it very hard for a head shot, that is assuming it was legal to shoot them. I have never heard of moorhens taking duck eggs, I would go as far as to say that is bullsh1t Rez IMO. Phil All the answer I needed. He can shoot his own f'kin Moorhens Quote Link to post
Paulnix 426 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Moorhens will take eggs, they eat all sorts of plant material, frogs, rodents as for eating no idea but on that diet i'd not rush to try it, had a discussion over a duck pond on what they would taste like, couple had tried and disliked, one ( always one ) said if skinned and cook slow tasted nice. Def a shotgun job though esp if the owner has one Quote Link to post
charlie caller 3,654 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I assume he means domestic duck eggs, as unless I am much mistaken its December and wild duck dont generally lay in Dec, come to think of it might be a tall order for domestics too. 2 Quote Link to post
bilbobagins 92 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Don't think moorhens would take eggs of any sort to be honest my money would be on rats, corvids or foxes taking eggs Quote Link to post
philpot 5,035 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Don't think moorhens would take eggs of any sort to be honest my money would be on rats, corvids or foxes taking eggs I am with you on that. Phil Quote Link to post
mark williams 7,561 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I tried Water Hen and also Coot many years back as a teenager. I put them in the oven, like you would a chicken, whilst my parents were out shopping. Well the whole house wreaked of well cooked stagnant pond, it was that atrocious of a smell that I had to run for cover when my Dad and Mum came home,- my Dad was going to string me up . I did get to taste them, by the way, after my Dad had calmed down. Bloody awful , they tasted exactly how they smelled 1 Quote Link to post
philpot 5,035 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I tried Water Hen and also Coot many years back as a teenager. I put them in the oven, like you would a chicken, whilst my parents were out shopping. Well the whole house wreaked of well cooked stagnant pond, it was that atrocious of a smell that I had to run for cover when my Dad and Mum came home,- my Dad was going to string me up . I did get to taste them, by the way, after my Dad had calmed down. Bloody awful , they tasted exactly how they smelled Has your cooking improved at all Mark. Phil Quote Link to post
Paulnix 426 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Don't think moorhens would take eggs of any sort to be honest my money would be on rats, corvids or foxes taking eggs I am with you on that. Phil They will and do take eggs, plus known to drown chicks, not just other birds either but will drown their own. Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Think of the shit the Moorhens eat, and that's what they taste like. 1 Quote Link to post
mark williams 7,561 Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 I tried Water Hen and also Coot many years back as a teenager. I put them in the oven, like you would a chicken, whilst my parents were out shopping. Well the whole house wreaked of well cooked stagnant pond, it was that atrocious of a smell that I had to run for cover when my Dad and Mum came home,- my Dad was going to string me up . I did get to taste them, by the way, after my Dad had calmed down. Bloody awful , they tasted exactly how they smelled Has your cooking improved at all Mark. Phil I`d like to think so Phil but I could guarantee Water hen and coot flavour hasn`t -- minging ! 1 Quote Link to post
philpot 5,035 Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 Perhaps my memory is failing me but from what I recall they tasted alright although it was about 38 years ago Phil Quote Link to post
mark williams 7,561 Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I wonder Birds as with fresh water fish for the table, - river is far better than pond/ lake. Would that be the case ? Quote Link to post
philpot 5,035 Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I wonder Birds as with fresh water fish for the table, - river is far better than pond/ lake. Would that be the case ? Interesting point Mark, all the moorhens I shot all those years ago were taken on the River Derwent in Bakewell, Derbyshire which is a beautiful clear trout river so perhaps you have something there mate. Phil Quote Link to post
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