Thread: Anyone eaten plovers?

I saw on centralsouthwaterfowl's instagram that they shot one - previsouly I thought they were protected (spur winged)

There's always a bunch flying over me on the lake, so getting them shouldn't be an issue now I know you can shoot them.

Has anyone tried eating the birds??

I've never been that desperate to think about eating them. I'm told they are fun to convert to a large cloud of feathers.. My mate calls them squawking Aussie mongrels.

When my youngest son was about 8yrs old and keen to learn about hunting he managed to shoot a plover with a single shot 22. I was also trying to install the hunting ethic that you only shoot what you can eat and eat what you shoot so lucky him(and me!)had to follow through and cook it. Took the breast meat off and tried my best Gordon Ramsey impersonation and end result was a slightly gamey chicken morsel ha ha. Not bad but wouldn't be my first choice of protein but definitely edible.

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Originally Posted by slk12

I saw on centralsouthwaterfowl's instagram that they shot one - previsouly I thought they were protected (spur winged)

There's always a bunch flying over me on the lake, so getting them shouldn't be an issue now I know you can shoot them.

Has anyone tried eating the birds??

when I worked at Kaitaia I was asked to shoot them on the Kaitaia air field - there was a worry about bird strike - bloody smart bastards soon learnt what that ute crawling down the field was - but could not out run bullets - reasonable tough little aussie mongrels started with 6 shot thinking just small bird but soon changed to no 2 fiochhi- seemed skinny stringy bloody birds - eating quality likely not great

They just love eating 50 grains moving at upwards of 3800fps

I've got a French cookbook that has recipes for Plovers, but I don't know if European birds are the same as the Spur Wing Bastards we get here.

Found a nest in the paddock once and brought the two eggs inside thinking I could try a plover omelette, provided they looked/smelled alright when I cracked them. That idea got scuppered quick when one started cheeping at me through the shell..

They are about the only bird who will roll an egg back into the nest if it gets dislodged. An interesting bird to study but way more fun to shoot at night with a spotlight

Originally Posted by slk12

I saw on centralsouthwaterfowl's instagram that they shot one - previsouly I thought they were protected (spur winged)

There's always a bunch flying over me on the lake, so getting them shouldn't be an issue now I know you can shoot them.

Has anyone tried eating the birds??

okay who volunteers to try a couple and report back ( bags not me )

very similar to pigeon with a lesser rabbit like taste....pretty OK actually.

they were at one stage protected but that was lifted years back

the spur they were named for is a nasty little piece of work

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

okay who volunteers to try a couple and report back ( bags not me )

I'll go looking for a few next time I get out on the farm, will keep this thread updated

Often thought of trying one or two. The french eat them but they also regard snails as a delicacy......
Trouble I have is that after shooting them with either the 17HMR, the 204 or the 22-250, there is not much left......

When breadcrumbed, they're not as delicate as Quail, but better than seagull.

Originally Posted by Allgood

Often thought of trying one or two. The french eat them but they also regard snails as a delicacy......
Trouble I have is that after shooting them with either the 17HMR, the 204 or the 22-250, there is not much left......

struth mate...you staposed to be plucking the head off dont ya know???