Pheasant for dinner (Almost…)

~ beetleypete

The weather changed yesterday, and not for the better. We went from nice sunny and relatively warm days, back to what feels like the end of winter again. Cold, rain, and fresh mud.

But as you know, Ollie has to go out, and today was no exception. So from 1:15 until 3:15, I set off walking around his usual favourite spots, wrapped up against the cold showers, and big boots on for the mud. On the third, or perhaps fourth, circuit of Hoe Rough, I spotted a plump male pheasant ahead of us, on the smaller side path. His vibrant plumage stood out magnificently in the gloom, and he seemed to be about some very important pheasant business, strutting purposefully along the path.

Ollie spotted him too, and without a heartbeat’s hesitation, took off at speed, his approach muffled by the soggy ground. I had no fear for Mr Pheasant. They usually fly off long before Ollie gets to within three feet of them, and I suspect my dog sees it as a game that he never wins. But on this occasion, whatever was preoccupying the stout game bird had diverted his attention long enough for Ollie to suddenly be upon him. With a loud fluttering of wings, and a characteristic pheasant squawk, the bird barely escaped from between Ollie’s paws, colliding with some small branches as he took off vertically into a nearby tree.

I was left lamenting the fact that we almost had pheasant for dinner tonight, and the bird lived to fight another day.

So it’s back to my planned meal of chicken and chorizo paella instead.

I’m sure it will be tasty enough.

47 thoughts on “Pheasant for dinner (Almost…)”

  3. I have never eaten pheasant although when we were driving to Centre Parcs last Friday we saw several of them pootling about and also several chaps with shotguns all dressed up obviously on the hunt for them.

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    1. One of the issues with eating it is finding lead shot in the meat, and risking your teeth. But I do enjoy the rich taste of such game birds on occasion. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  5. Jackie caught one once, mid flight as it was taking off, very impressive jump and catch.
    I had to wrestle to get it off her and in the end, after plucking it, I let her have it.
    I also caught one when I went pheasant beating in my teens, a lucky swing of the stick. I was allowed to keep it as well as pick up my wages for the day, £15 or a brace of pheasants.

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  11. I’m glad you and Ollie had another great adventure notwithstanding the crummy weather. I did find myself rooting for the pheasant even though it meant you only had chicken for dinner. 😉 Maybe next time. 🙂

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  14. Pheasant is tasty….we cannot have them here for they nest on the ground and we have fire ants that kill and eat everything in their way….so quail and pheasants are out of the question….better luck next time Ollie…..chuq

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  16. What a lovely picture of the pheasant. I don’t think our dog minds birds but he’s out patrolling the garden for foxes. They have made a big tunnel under the fence. I tried to block it with flower pots as if they can get through so can he and we have already had to fetch him back from a garden in the next street.Trouble is, as soon as I block one hole they dig another one!
    He has just had his summer haircut and looks very sleek – not the woolly dog in the previous photos.
    Once I have sorted out my new phone I’ll take another picture.

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    1. Thanks, Julie. Not my photo, I found it online. It was too wet to take my camera out today. I hope that you manage to stop your dog escaping again. We don’t see foxes in the garden here, unlike in London, where they strolled casually around the inner-city streets. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  17. I have never seen a pheasant (in the wild). I was married to an avid hunter but never had the interest. I once found a quail hiding in a box in my garage. We were both very surprised.

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    1. Pheasants are so common here, and are usually seen dead at the roadside, killed by passing traffic. They are also bred extensively on local farms, for shooting. Ollie is always attracted to them, whilst ignoring most other birds. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. Windows finished late yesterday afternoon, so I reblogged an old post before taking Ollie out. Thousands of pheasants get shot around here all the time, so I wouldn’t have minded if Ollie had got just one. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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