There are released birds, and then there are released birds. I agree with jOe that, when the "put and take" releases are employed, a well set sporting clays course if much better. But, it's all in the way the releases are handled, and in the quality of birds released.
As Gil touched on, the highly touted Scottish and English driven shoots are all pen raised and released birds, I assume Spain's as well. But, the way they are managed makes the difference. The birds understand what it means to fly. Put and take birds don't.
One of my great friends manages a property he owns for quail, and releases about 1600 specially prepared quail each August, in coveys of 25. I usually wait until January to go with him one afternoon, and I can tell you that, coming from an old wild bird hunter, they are sporty. They will flush wild at times, and we will occasionally bump a covey that consists of birds that survived the previous spring and summer. There's not much difference. There are methods used by the better quail breeders to prepare the birds for release, such as very limited human contact, long flight pens, predator training, etc.
Point is, all released birds are not the same, by any means. But, I must admit, nothing is the same as good wild bird hunting. And, no pen raised quail tastes quite the same as a wild bird. The flavor of a wild quail here is much better, even if the released bird has been in the wild for three months, IMO.
Glad you enjoyed the trip, John.
SRH
Last edited by Stan; 11/24/15 08:35 AM.
