It would be an exceptional shoot in this area that did not pay it's pickers up and beaters. I was notionally asked if I wanted to go out on a wee syndicate shoot. They don't generally have anyone out other than the syndicate members themselves. If I was desperate for a day out I might go but only because it's on my doorstep and would cost me next to nothing.
As it is, I don't have enough time to do all the days I'd like to do and have to opportunity of doing so the chances of me going out unpaid are virtually non-existant. I just don't need to and if shoots in this area didn't pay then they simply wouldn't get the help they needed as there are so many shoots. However, I do go to the keepers days and, with only a few exceptions, haven't shot just gone along to help out and there are certain people I'd help out unpaid if required.
I firmly believe that there are costs asociated with a days shooting and these should be taken into account when agreeing the price of the day with the party who are taking it. I they cannot fund what they want then they need to reconsider what type of day they can afford to buy - I have to live within my means.
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.
I get paid for picking up at every shoot I go to and I go to 2-3 shoots per week. One of these shoots involves a round trip of 180-200 miles. The payment given doesn't quite cover the petrol money but at least the shoot is making an effort to compensate me for all that time and fuel cost. Very probably I'd stick to shoots within 20 miles of me if I wasn't being paid.
I was taken aside by a headkeeper in this area back when I first started doing beating and picking up. He'd overheard me saying that I enjoyed it all so much I'd do it for nothing. He told me never to say that again and pointed out that some of the people present relied on that little bit of money to get them there. He was meaning the 3-4 beaters and 1 picker up who were O.A.P.'s. I am now in that position myself, I just couldn't afford to do it on the more distant shoots if I didn't get paid.
I got a phone call from the owner of a weekly shoot some years ago. The shoot was about 35 -40 miles away from me. I used to pick up one of it's pickers up and two of it's beaters in the morning and drive them to the shoot, then drop them off again back at their houses after the shoot. Doing this added more fuel costs and a lot more time to my day. The man had phoned just prior to the shooting season to give me the shoot dates then he followed this by saying he'd heard that pickers up on shoots enjoyed it so he wasn't going to pay them in future. I wished him a good seasons shooting ........... without me.
Wullie
If at first you don't succeed .....find out if there is a booby prize !
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
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trekmoor wrote:I get paid for picking up at every shoot I go to and I go to 2-3 shoots per week. One of these shoots involves a round trip of 180-200 miles. The payment given doesn't quite cover the petrol money but at least the shoot is making an effort to compensate me for all that time and fuel cost. Very probably I'd stick to shoots within 20 miles of me if I wasn't being paid.
I was taken aside by a headkeeper in this area back when I first started doing beating and picking up. He'd overheard me saying that I enjoyed it all so much I'd do it for nothing. He told me never to say that again and pointed out that some of the people present relied on that little bit of money to get them there. He was meaning the 3-4 beaters and 1 picker up who were O.A.P.'s. I am now in that position myself, I just couldn't afford to do it on the more distant shoots if I didn't get paid.
I got a phone call from the owner of a weekly shoot some years ago. The shoot was about 35 -40 miles away from me. I used to pick up one of it's pickers up and two of it's beaters in the morning and drive them to the shoot, then drop them off again back at their houses after the shoot. Doing this added more fuel costs and a lot more time to my day. The man had phoned just prior to the shooting season to give me the shoot dates then he followed this by saying he'd heard that pickers up on shoots enjoyed it so he wasn't going to pay them in future. I wished him a good seasons shooting ........... without me.
I do expect to get paid to work on a shoot as it is one way or another making money for the shoot. However if it is a small diy group lunch ad a few birds is perfectly acceptable. Several of the larger commercial shoots like their beeters to commit to all of their days so they have a team that know the ground and work well together. One even runs a training day For that sort of commitment I would expect to be paid top whack because although it is great fun there will invarialbe be days when I have to miss out on somehting that I would rather be doing or have to fib to work to get the day off
I pick up on a local estate and get paid I usually work 3 or 4 dogs i have put a lot of time and effort into training my dogs my time is valuable to me and not to mention the fuel costs, vet bills ,feed bills etc .
To spend all day walking round the shoot carrying birds through brambles gorse and not to mention torrential rain ,gales
snow up to your marraige license ,yes i think you should be paid.
What is the amount you get paid? Is there an average? I did my first season beating just gone and got paid £20 plus a pie and beer for lunch. It dosen't seem alot and some of the days can be long...didn't finish till gone 4pm some days but I enjoy being out with the dog and the company.....It's only up the lane from my place and if it was a distance I think with fuel costs I might have to think twice. I also beat for free on a DIY shoot but again it is on the doorstep, you get a light lunch a brace and a pint in the pub after. It's a short day I think they enjoy the pub The company is great and again I enjoy being out with the dog. I can't fault them on the DIY as my dog injuried himself towards the end of the season and the guns all chipped in to cover the vets bill, what more can you ask.
Final thought......If you were out from 9am till 4pm with an hours lunch and got the minimum wage we'ed be.........
Trailblazer wrote:
Final thought......If you were out from 9am till 4pm with an hours lunch and got the minimum wage we'ed be.........
Nouveau Riche! Varies from £27.50 and a good elevenses to £35 and nowt else on the shoots I go to. Could I afford to go if I didn't get help with the expenses? Nope! Would I have three or four dogs and a 4x4 if I didn't go picking up? Nope!
In life, it is important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong.
Last season's usual was £40-45 + food and drink in varying amounts depending on which shoot.
One place is £30 + pies, biscuits and coffee etc at lunchtime + a three course cooked dinner at night if you wish to stay.
One place was £50 with modest food/drink at lunchtime but that was grouse days.
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.
Are those 'wages' for picking up with a team? I'm on £20 tops for beating (and seeping and occasionaly picking up too!) they are all quite small shoots though, only one is a bigger commercial venture. My two favourites are the smallest shoots though, where I get to really work a spaniel. One just feeds us but has the most loyal beating team I know; says a lot about the company and the grub! 'Wages' for beating and picking up could never really cover all the costs, but they are certainly welcome.
You all need to move north. The commercial shoots around me pay £ 40 for picking up, plus £ 10 if you use your vehicle, as one shoot covers 38000 acres and it can be quite a distance between drives.As Rookie says, the grouse days pay more.
Good man I would have said the same.
For that sort of commitment I would expect to be paid top whack because although it is great fun there will invarialbe be days when I have to miss out on somehting that I would rather be doing or have to fib to work to get the day off 
,yes i think you should be paid.
The company is great and again I enjoy being out with the dog. I can't fault them on the DIY as my dog injuried himself towards the end of the season and the guns all chipped in to cover the vets bill, what more can you ask.
