to be shocked someone hung dead pheasant on my front gate

[annoyednow]

Opened my front gate around 10minutes ago to let cat in and there was something hanging on the front gate. I am in pj's, so husband went out and there was a dead pheasant hanging from string from our front gate. We live in London.

I don't know if it was some prank by kids or something sinister.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Are you sure it's not a gift?

Where we live it would be a gift. Normally a brace of them, but if you are in London, that's slightly odd.

It's a gift, eat it.

I found one in a phone box the last time I went to Anglesey.

A nice present from someone you know?

Pheasants are lovely to cook with. Admittedly, you have to know what to do with them. But lovely if you want to learn.

My FIL shoots them and gives me them. I say thank you :-)

Partridges are better though. As is finding someone else to pluck the things and cut heads off. Better to deal with them after that....

Is it in good condition (apart from being dead I mean) - if so it could have been a present like the PP said.

i would have assumed it was a gift too!

No, it's not a gift. We're not in the countryside.

Someone likely ran it over by accident on the road outside and then hung it on your gate

Dead lucky you

Or could the cat have got creative, putting it there for you to find?

My parents' cat has just discovered the joys of hunting and keeps bringing in pigeons - I blame Masterchef!

If it were in the country and probably anywhere in Scotland it's a gift. Pheasants are lovely. I do roast pheasant as our Christmas meal 1 pheasant per every 2 people, much nicer than turkey and no left overs.

Yes its a gift.
You are supposed to hang them for about 6 weeks in a cold shed, then pluck/gut as required.

It's all a bit Withnail and I, isn't it? Have you angered a poacher recently?

I was thinking more gang or voodoo. We're in London. No naturally occuring pheasants. I'm worried it's like a mark or something. Don't know provenance or state of pheasant, so will not be eating it. Husband is dumping the body in a street bin on the next road.

Cat is mean. He eats kill whole. Last cat used to line up the pygmy shrews on patio to share/show.

It's weird. I'm wondering if I should call police in case there is some symbolism.

Ye gods. I think as presents go I'd prefer this!

Seriously? A gift? Really?!

I don't believe it. I'm going with prank.

Voodoo? What makes you think it's voodoo?

You don't have to hang them for 6 weeks. If I'm given them intact I usually pluck and clean them then.

you don't know anyone from the countryside? anyone who goes shooting etc?

I'd be wondering if said pheasant had been stolen, or involved in crime somehow, and then ditched.

Voodoo seems a bit odd. So does it being a mark - they are supposed to only be noticeable to the gang, not to everyone, and a peasant on a gate in London is certainly notable.

Voodoo? really?

Boak, not 6 weeks, I don't hang them at all.

Have you had any bother with gangs etc that would mean they would single you out in any way? If not, you can probably rest easy. It may have been meant for someone else (as a gift, I mean!