Shotgunlover,
On put and take shoots, as I referred to them, the birds are put out the morning of the "hunt" which takes place later that same morning, and afternoon. They are pitiful. Many won't even fly when you walk up over them, and stay huddled on the ground until kicked into the air by the "guide". Sometimes they use flushing dogs to jump in on them and scare them into flying. It is really pathetic, IMO.
Those that escape are eaten in pretty short order by predators. Hawks home in on these release areas and just sit in a tree and watch for them. Occasionally a few will survive the season, breed the next spring/summer, and actually raise a brood. The ones of that brood act almost exactly like true wild birds.
Larry,
I have read Sir Joseph Nickerson's book, A SHOOTING MAN'S CREED. There is a good deal of information in it as well about raising the birds and releasing them, all I really want to know. But thanks.
SRH
