Golden plover

declan1980

I shot one of these yesterday. A friend of mine says they're a very tasty bird, but I don't know how to prepare it. Should I let it hang for a couple of days like a pheasant, or do I cook it straight away

EastTyrone

oh dear

Hibrion

Are these not protected in some way? Forgive my ignorance on the subject.

Birdnuts

Hibrion wrote: »

Are these not protected in some way? Forgive my ignorance on the subject.

They are classed as a gamebird with a season - see the stickies at the top of the page. Nearly all the Golden Plovers in this country during the hunting season are winter migrants from the North(Iceland/Scandanavia etc.). The few Irish Breeders typically migrate south to the Med/Africa before the hunting season kicks in.

Hibrion

Thanks for that.

deerhunter1

Hibrion wrote: »

Are these not protected in some way? Forgive my ignorance on the subject.

Its not ignorance, its learning, only stupid answers are ignorance. If you do not ask you will never know.;)

marlin vs

Leave it hang for a couple of day's or prepare it straight away and leave it in the fridge for a couple of day's,Golden Plover season is from 1st September to 31st January,enjoy.

terminator2

what a shame:(

stevoman

terminator2 wrote: »

what a shame:(

Are they rare or something? Im confused.

Half-cocked

I prefer to watch them rather than shoot them. However, they have an open season, so I won't preach at those who do shoot them.

Birdnuts

stevoman wrote: »

Are they rare or something? Im confused.

See my earlier post - the migrant wintering population is still robust, the few native breeders are suffering the same problems as other breeding waders ie. loss of habitat and presence of mink. Currently legal hunting is not an issue for this species since the few shot in season are nearly guaranteed to be winter migrants.:). Illegal hunting on foreign wintering grounds may be an issue though for Irish breeders in places like North Africa, Malta etc.

stevoman

So im okay to take a shot at one if the chance arises so. i could never get near them but i heard they taste good. id like to try one.

Birdnuts

stevoman wrote: »

So im okay to take a shot at one if the chance arises so. i could never get near them but i heard they taste good. id like to try one.

Yep - though they are very small (snipe seized). Personally I'd prefer a nice plump mallard

PS: Of course make sure you are certain that you know what a Golden Plover actually looks like as there are similiar species that are totally protected!!

stevoman

Birdnuts wrote: »

stevoman wrote: »

So im okay to take a shot at one if the chance arises so. i could never get near them but i heard they taste good. id like to try one.

Yep - though they are very small (snipe seized). Personally I'd prefer a nice plump mallard

PS: Of course make sure you are certain that you know what a Golden Plover actually looks like as there are similiar species that are totally protected!!

Yeah i know the guys. its rare enough i come across them unless its on a large open splash on grazing ground and at thays its impossible plus to work consuming to try get a shot at them for all the meat ya get but if on ever passes il chance a shot just to see what they taste like for curiosity sake. saying that i shot a hare once to cook it and eat it......... never again i tell ya. :-)

pheasntstalker

hi dec1980, have u tried the plover yet, like to know if worth the shot

declan1980

pheasntstalker wrote: »

hi dec1980, have u tried the plover yet, like to know if worth the shot

Had it yesterday, absolutely beautiful meat, a bit like woodcock, and yes well worth the shot. To be honest I wouldn't mind another one or two to eat