Spanish Partridge Shooting

Leather double gun slips - which incidently are numbered with the number you draw in the morning so there can be no confusion
Leather cartridge bags.
Leather Spanish 'three cornered' shooting sets.
Cartridges of all calibers in Armusa, the very popular Spanish make, in 28 grammes, 30 grammes and heavier loads in 12 bore cartridges and 24 or 26 gramme in 20 bores. In practice, light loads are quite sufficient, although some guests will manage longer shots with heavier cartridges.

Chokes - We are often asked which are the best chokes for this type of shooting. In our opinion improved and modified are suitable for most drives although for a few drives it would be worth changing to full and full!

It is normal to shoot Spanish partridges with double guns. Shooting guests are provided with a loader and secretario and usually at least one dog.

The loaders are very proficient and have been trained to load in the British way, standing to the side and slightly behind the gun, not sitting in front of him, pointing the gun upwards.

The line of guns can number up to 10, but in practice, 7 or 8 is an ideal number.

Guns generally stand behind butts which are either built from scrub, oak branch or pantallas, prefabricated canvas screens, depending on the local vegetation

If guns are inexperienced or prefer to shoot with 'discos', simple discs mounted on the ends of 5-6ft poles which are placed either side of each gun with the discs at head height, this can be easily arranged. Not only do the 'discos' provide protection but they also delineate the safe arc of fire from each position.

Drives start with two shots from the end guns or 'punta' and end when the beaters have completed the drive.

The shooting is very similar to grouse shooting with a tremendous variety of birds; low fast crossing birds and high curling birds, birds quartering from either side - even birds coming from behind on occasions!

The Spanish partridge is a small target and it tests even the most accomplished shot.

With the comparatively modern demand for shooting very high partridges, Las Beatas can provide days where even dyed in the wool high bird shots will be satisfied. Over a 3 day shoot we like to mix up the days and drives as much as possible to that guns will be presented with a vast variety of birds which is, in our opinion, one of the delights of shooting here in Spain.