Trapping a pheasant for christmas.

jcsoulinger

Hey all, I was just wondering if any one could give me some advice. I have recently noticed a lot of pheasants on our land, and was thinking about trying to trap one for the Christmas dinner.

What would be the ideal time to catch one so it would be good for the 25th and Is there a minimum size that I should be adhering to.

thanks in advance

timmy00

jcsoulinger wrote: »

Hey all, I was just wondering if any one could give me some advice. I have recently noticed a lot of pheasants on our land, and was thinking about trying to trap one for the Christmas dinner.

What would be the ideal time to catch one so it would be good for the 25th and Is there a minimum size that I should be adhering to.

thanks in advance

Are you having a laugh ??

Vegeta

Hey OP, have never looked into trapping protected species but off hand my first guess is that it is not legal.

However it is legal to shoot them, if there is a gun club in your area then I'm sure someone would be more than willing to provide with a shot bird. Hell if you're close to me I'll try and get one for you.

In terms of timing, do you have a cold room or large fridge? If not then someone providing one about 3-4 days before Xmas would be grand.

What type of recipe were you thinking?

jcsoulinger

Oops didn't realise its against the law, what's the difference if your allowed shoot them?. May look into getting one that's already been shot but that doesn't do much for my inner hunter/gatherer :-).


I haven't really thought about how I would cook it, didn't really think it through at all to be honest.

jcsoulinger

timmy00 wrote: »

Are you having a laugh ??

Yes in general, but not when it comes to the trapping of wild birds. This is one area of discussion where I am deathly serious.

But your extremely helpful comment was much appreciated anyway, Thank You Timmy.

gregers85

Hey OP, where are you based?? there's a butcher here in limerick stocks game (subject to availability) you can order online too but I dont know about delivery

http://www.michaeloloughlinbutchers.ie/game_meat.htm

charlie10

i would gladly give you a lad from my freezer no problem ,would be nice for u to tag along with a local lad and watch the hunt and get him/her to show you how to pluck and prepare

meathstevie

jcsoulinger wrote: »

Hey all, I was just wondering if any one could give me some advice. I have recently noticed a lot of pheasants on our land, and was thinking about trying to trap one for the Christmas dinner.

What would be the ideal time to catch one so it would be good for the 25th and Is there a minimum size that I should be adhering to.

thanks in advance

If you're into the whole hunting/gathering mindset you could apply for a shotgun certificate and not only could you shoot pheasant on your land but also other game.

Birdnuts

jcsoulinger wrote: »

Oops didn't realise its against the law, what's the difference if your allowed shoot them?. May look into getting one that's already been shot but that doesn't do much for my inner hunter/gatherer :-).


.

Pheasants are classed as a "game" species so can be shot in season. However they cannot be taken by cage trapping unlike vermin species such as certain crow species. See the link below detailing what species are classed as vermin and game. All other bird species are fully protected.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71148900&postcount=3

..

deeksofdoom

How can trapping pheasants be illegal?

I mean who came up with that stoopid law?

How are pheasants gathered up on estates at the end of the season? Traps maybe?!?!?!

If you wanted pheasants for eggs you could trap them. The traps are simple to make and I'm sure
be relatively easy to buy off dingle poultry or some one like that.

Birdnuts

deeksofdoom wrote: »

How can trapping pheasants be illegal?

I mean who came up with that stoopid law?

How are pheasants gathered up on estates at the end of the season? Traps maybe?!?!?!

If you wanted pheasants for eggs you could trap them. The traps are simple to make and I'm sure
be relatively easy to buy off dingle poultry or some one like that.

I'm not 100% sure but I think reared/tagged pheasants may be trapped for such purposes in certain circumstances under licence by the NPWS. As I say I'm not 100% on that so best check with your local ranger.

dodderangler

Vegeta wrote: »

Hey OP, have never looked into trapping protected species
?

always wondered why they are protected
theyre an invasive species
are they protected because theyre reared by the gunclubs??

Capercaille

dodderangler wrote: »

always wondered why they are protected
theyre an invasive species
are they protected because theyre reared by the gunclubs??

Pheasant though non-native aren't classified as invasive, because they don't threaten any native species in a major way as far is known.
American mink, grey squirrel are a threat to native wildlife so they are considered invasive. You could certainly classify Sika as invasive since they are part of the reason Red Deer are extinct in Wicklow and also they do severe damage to native trees especially saplings and understorey plants. Since Sika are useful to eat/sport shooting that's why they are classified as non-invasive, although it would be better (IMO) for them to be classified as vermin.

TriggerPL

dodderangler wrote: »

always wondered why they are protected
theyre an invasive species
are they protected because theyre reared by the gunclubs??

I think it goes back to old English times when only well off folk had guns and the normal folks trapped there dinner