spyderski wrote: »

Hi, saw online some restaurants are doing Pheasant - although obviously now out of season, they’re claiming there are “special exemptions” to allow shooting due to overpopulation. Can anyone confirm if this is the case? Somewhat sceptical myself….

Firstly there are licences to allow clubs but more so large commercial shoots to shoot after the season is closed. This is due to the amount of birds released.

Secondly, how do you know they are Irish products and not imported from abroad or as said farmed. But most feathered game is hunted.

Thirdly, there is no restrictions to the sale of game throughout the year. If the game is frozen and available then there is no issue once the consumer is aware of that. Here in Ireland game meat sales are very seasonal so you will only see it become available during relevant seasons. I have a snowballs chance in hell of getting most feathered game through my suppliers outside of the seasons.

I still remember a time when you had to plan menus around seasons - lamb, fruit, game etc etc. Now you can get strawberries all year round. Food is always better in season, but theres always a season somewhere around the globe.