Chatting to our new beaters bought back memories of my very first day in the beating line, when I was about 16. I didn’t live in a rural location – I was brought up on a council estate in north London – but I was a mad keen fisherman and…
Beating and picking-up
Picking-up on a shoot: this is what you need to know
Picking-up: A few wise words from a picking-up expert.
The best clothing for beaters (and pickers-up)
We asked those in the know what they think is the best clothing for beaters. What to wear and what to avoid. (Read our beating on a shoot day rules for some more advice.) Liam Stokes, CEO of the British Game Assurance (formerly British Game Alliance) advises: “As a gamekeeping…
Get your gundog ready for the beating line
People often ask: “How old should my dog be before taking it into the beating line?” The truth is there is no straight answer — so much depends on the dog and the trainer’s ability. But the question every trainer should be asking themselves is: “Is my gundog ready for…
16 things only beaters know (and Guns should)
It’s sad to know that many shooting beaters feel treated like second-class citizens by the Guns on a shoot. (Which suggests that some of the Guns haven’t ever been beating themselves or understand just what is involved in the work.) A few years ago Shooting Gazette published an article: “Letter from…
Do beaters, loaders and pickers-up get paid fairly?
Some beaters, loaders and pickers-up rely on shoots as their main source of income throughout the season. However this money cannot replace a regular salary (and it’s been hit hard by Covid restrictions) and in any case shoot earnings have to be declared and are taxed accordingly. Few complaints Although…
Want to get involved on a shoot day next season? Here are some of the jobs you could do
Wondering how you can get involved in shooting? Thinking about becoming a beater or a picker-up next season? The most common way to help out during the shooting season is to join a beating team. This can evolve into other jobs on a shoot day and to helping out of…
A guide to gundogs on the beating line
Paul Rawlings shows you how to ensure you have the best gundogs on the beating line
The Queen’s former gundog trainer reminisces about picking-up on shoot days
Gundog training: Former gundog trainer to HM The Queen, Bill Meldrum, shares his picking-up rules.
How can I improve my spaniels’ picking-up skills?
Picking-up skills: I have two springer spaniel gun dogs and want to improve their picking-up skills.
10 must-reads about beating and picking-up on a shoot
If it’s your first time out, then your fellow beaters and pickers-up will show you the ropes. In the meantime, here’s a selection of articles you’ll find useful to browse through … 1. 16 things only beaters know (and Guns should) Beating is tough work and challenging to get right.…
9 survival tips for the novice picker-up
Novice picker-up: Basics like manners and cunning are gold dust to the novice picker-up.
The bigger the shoot, the less respect?
Picking-up is about one thing — finding shot birds. The joy I get from finding one bird that would otherwise be lost gives me more pleasure than shooting even the highest of pheasants. Over the years I have managed to climb the picking-up tree, from a small syndicate with one…
How to stay safe when you’re a picker-up on a shoot
Pickers-up: The job of pickers-up is not an easy one.
Can terriers work in the beating line?
Terriers are an asset in the beating line, says David Bezzant after observing a Jack Russell at work on a shoot
Ampleforth College Shoot 2018
In the past five years the school shoot has grown in both extent and professionalism. Student-led and supported, with guidance by staff and parents, Ampleforth is putting down around 800 pheasants and partridges each year in three pens across the valley, shooting a good 10 days in the season. Eight…
Beaters’ day shooting. Pegs or walk one, stand one?
Put them out on pegs, says Ben Samuelson Beaters’ day shooting is an absolutely sacred part of the shooting season, and is one of its great joys. Roles are reversed and one half of the shooting community gets a well-deserved treat at the end of the season. Patience is rewarded,…
Dogs at work in the beating line
After an enjoyable season in the beating line with his spaniel, David Tomlinson asks what traits a dog needs to have to be an asset to this essential team
What you need to know about picking-up on a shoot
In my view, game shooting is only defensible if every bird that is shot ends up on the table. Without a decent picking-up team the chance of that happening is slight. What makes a good picking-up team and how do you get to be part of one? You need a…