This study aimed to evaluate the postrelease survival and spatial distribution of farm-bred red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) that were subject to a prerelease training program based on exemplary behavior and alarm calls given by adults that acted as experienced demonstrators in simulated predator encounters (wooden raptor models and humans). Two groups of partridges were released in this study: trained (intensively reared birds accompanied by tutors) and control (chicks reared without tutors). Releases were conducted in the fall and winter-spring during 2 consecutive years using a total of 44 trained and 40 control radio-tagged partridges. Trained partridges showed statistically higher mean values of survival (72.7 d), home range (13.04 ha), and dispersion (549.58 m) compared with nontrained partridges, with most nontrained birds failing to survive more than 2 wk after release. Trained adult partridges showed the best survival results (105.2 d). Taking all birds into account, causes of death were attributed to terrestrial predators (45%), raptors (18.7%), hunting (11.3%), and unknown causes (25%). Although values of variables reported here were lower than those reported in wild counterparts, survival time and spatial behavior of trained birds were close to that of previous data of parent-reared partridges and higher than that of farm-bred birds. This study aimed to confirm the potential of prerelease training techniques in present-day rearing systems. Farm-bred game birds, which normally suffer from high predation rates after release, could highly benefit from the use of cost-effective training techniques based on learning from experienced adults.

A discussion about the nutritional composition of game meat, with specific focus on wild species harvested in Central and Mediterranean European countries has been conducted. Given the wide range of species, and the climate and vegetation differences among the harvesting areas, game meat shows heterogeneous characteristics and chemical composition, the latter being also affected by sex, age, body condition, physiological and sexual status, and hunting period. However, there are similarities which make it clearly distinguishable from livestock meat. When considering the most consumed species (red and fallow deer, wild boar, hare and wild rabbit), their meat has low fat content (<3 g/100 g for large and <4 g/100 g for small wild game species), high protein content (20–26 g/100 g) and low energy content (90–113 kcal/100 g). Wild game meat has a healthier fatty-acids profile compared to other meats, showing a higher proportion of PUFA, especially n-3, and consequently more favorable PUFA/SAF ratio. Wild ruminants’ meat shows a favorable n-6/n-3 ratio (lower or close to 4). It has a high content of K, followed by P and micro-minerals such as Zn and Fe, together with B-group vitamins and vitamin E. Game meat from wild species harvested in Europe can diversify the market being an alternative to others red meats owing to its nutritional quality and organoleptic characteristics.

This paper reports an examination of the economic contribution to Spain provided by sport hunting. This paper identifies the main stakeholders, the overall expenses and contribution to the Spanish Gross Domestic Product (GDP), tax revenue, and the number of jobs supported. The results confirm that hunting can be considered a key economic activity for the Spanish environment and primary sector, and a measure combatting rural depopulation.