Wild game season starts today (Friday)

Today (Friday, October 1) marks the start of this year’s pheasant season.

Over the coming weeks pheasant will join other wild game meats such as partridge, mallard and venison on shelves and menus across Berkshire and the rest of the country.

James Hole, director of Vicars Game, based in Ashampstead, said: “We are really excited that the game season has started and customers can now pick up a wide range of seasonal game direct from the farm shop at Vicars Game, all sourced from local estates that surround the shop.

“Game meat is one of the healthiest meats available and is very low in fat and cholesterol so a great addition to the family menu.”

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the largest shooting organisation in the UK, is responsible for promoting the health and sustainability benefits of wild game.

BASC South East regional director Michelle Nudds said: “Berkshire and the surrounding counties are packed full of fantastic local produce butchers, farm shops, pubs and restaurants that take pride in the quality of food they serve.

"The pheasant season presents these quality businesses with the opportunity to sell locally sourced, delicious and sustainable produce.”