That has changed over the years. As a kid it was anything that presented an opportunity. As I grew older and taste buds refined and a young wife and then young kids added their taste buds to the mix, I found myself in a minority position. I ate it all and they wanted nothing to do with it. I started finding myself with far more birds (and big game) to eat than I could handle. I have not been one to give away game, always lived by if I shoot it I (or the family) eat it. These are the birds I have taken over the years: Ruffies, spruce grouse, blue grouse, sharptail grouse, sage grouse, huns, ptarmigan (rock and willow), ducks and geese. For the most part, upland birds were a by-product of hunting big game. As a kid, I always enjoyed working with Dad as a blocker or pusher when he would go for pheasant. The rooster became my favorite game bird. I have not had the opportunity to take dove, woodcock, chukar, quail or turkey - haven't even seen quail or woodcock.
Over the years, I gravitated more and more to the wily rooster, as these birds were palatable for others in the family and always made for a fun day afield (although they all make for that). So for me, wild pheasant are the favorite, especially an unexpected under your feet flush of a big old long tailed rooster.
No matter the bird, it's the time with friends and bird dogs that keep us looking forward to another season, even as the current one has or is soon to end.
Cheers,
Jack
My first rooster taken on the wing with Dad's Savage 755A (1965). Taxidermy by Dad.
Threaded Mode