Foxfire

Once upon a time it was legal to use live birds for shoots similar to what you describe here as well. And of course the sport "clay pigeons" used to use live pigeons.

I think one of the reasons they were banned was the waste of birds, with lots of birds just dumped.

However if the numbers shot are utlised and eaten, why not?! No real difference to going for a walk with the dog and shooting a pheasant and putting it in the larder. Of course as you mention one is shooting and the other hunting, but quite a fun way to release and seed birds into the countryside for future hunting and breeding.

Foxes and cats do a "good" job of clearing up ground nesting birds in OZ unfortunately.