Shoots, beating, picking up, money!?

[Cass]

I don't quite understand the concept of "shoots" and "beating/picking up", I see posts constantly on here about this. I also did not realize you get paid to do this? This sounds amazing, if I could get paid to hunt I'd never stop hahaha (I'm sure the wife would kill me because I hunt "too much" as it is apparently). Not to hijack this thread but can someone give me a quick run down of what all this means? And does anyone over there just go hunting on their own? All the videos I see is a bunch of people walking through a field.

[Judy]

Hopefully this link will help;

http://www.shootpics.co.uk/picking-up.html If you have a look around the site you will see a description of Beating too.

Edited to add; http://www.shootpics.co.uk/beating_new.html

[Rascal]

And this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7-06mk4ELg

Don't get carried away with the idea of money though the most I get paid is £45 a day on a commercial shoot locally for picking up and by the time I've taken a day off work, fuel to get there and back and the upkeep of five dogs I'm not in pocket. I would and do gladly do it for free because I love it.

Rascal

[Judy]

FORTYFIVE?! I'm moving ooop North! Biggest contribution to expenses around here is £35 and a lot of that is taken up by the distance travelled, 35 miles, and the cost of fuel in the UK. This is for a whole day too, don't forget, so is more of a grace and favour payment towards expenses rather than a wage. People with dogs, mostly pickers up around here, get a little more than those without.

[Rascal]

FORTYFIVE?! I'm moving ooop North!

Don't you threaten me.....!

[Cass]

So your dog either finds/flushes or retrieves? How come the dogs don't do both? Is there regular hunting seasons or just these organized shoots at game farms?

[coco]

I have been beating on a shoot ( with paying gun days) that paid £20 for beater with dogs, and £15 for beaters without a dog.

The small shoot I am picking up ( as a trainee) on this season doesn't pay anyone, and each gun takes a turn to cook the meal afterwards. But it has some lovely characters and is really close to home.

[Miff]

FORTYFIVE?! I'm moving ooop North!

Don't you threaten me.....!

I'm coming too then. all I get is £32. Dont do it for the money (just as well 'aint it?) but for the pleasure (usually) of seeing my dogs work. Seeing all that training come to fruition. Seeing the dogs doing what they were bred to do. It still gives me a buzz even after all these years. Its such a wonderful partnership - handler and dog - in 'real' shooting situations. Nothing can compare.

PS a couple of weeks ago I was out in foul weather all day, received my £32 with gratitude and then went straight to the vet to have a dog stiched up - the bill £91!!!!!

[Rascal]

Yes we do shoot over our own dogs Cass (well some of us do ) and walked up/ rough shooting is my favourite type of dog work if I'm honest, this will give you an idea..

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=WZzJ56wM ... M8lQ&gl=GB


Then there is Grouse shooting both driven and over Pointers that's exciting.. Wild fowling, pigeon shooting, rabbit shooting..the two latter considered vermin.

Our quarry seasons can be found here...

http://www.basc.org.uk/en/departments/g ... easons.cfm

Rascal

[Liam]

My beaters and picker's up get paid the same, £25. No elitism here