The Role Of A Picker-Up

The primary responsibility of a picker-up is to collect the shot game, primarily pheasants and partridges, after each "drive" (the period when birds are flushed by beaters over the waiting shooters, known as "Guns"). Their most critical function is to swiftly locate and retrieve any wounded birds ("pricked" birds or "runners") to minimise suffering and ensure they are humanely dispatched. They also collect dead birds that may have fallen further back or been missed by the Guns or their own dogs.

Key Responsibilities & Actions:

1. Positioning: During a drive, pickers-up and their dogs position themselves well behind the line of Guns. They need a good vantage point to see where birds fall but must remain quiet and relatively out of sight to avoid distracting the Guns or interfering with the shooting.
   
   
2. Marking: They carefully watch the flight of the birds and "mark" (mentally note the location) where birds fall, paying particular attention to those that look wounded and might run upon landing.
   
   
3. Dog Control: Pickers-up use highly trained gundogs (commonly Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or Cocker/Springer Spaniels). Crucially, these dogs must be absolutely "steady" – meaning they remain quietly at heel, ignoring the noise of the shots and the sight of falling birds, until commanded to retrieve after the drive has finished (signalled by a whistle or horn).
   
   
4. Retrieving: Once the drive concludes, the pickers-up send their dogs to retrieve the marked birds. The priority is always wounded game. They work systematically across the area behind the Guns.
   
   
5. Dispatching: Any wounded birds retrieved must be dispatched humanely and instantly, usually with a sharp knock to the back of the head using a "priest" (a small, heavy baton) or by quickly breaking the neck.
   
   
6. Gathering the Bag: They gather all the retrieved birds and typically hand them over to the game cart handlers or the Keeper at a designated point. This ensures an accurate count of the "bag" (the total number of birds shot).

Etiquette for Pickers-Up:Adherence to etiquette is vital for a picker-up:

1. Steadiness is Paramount: The single most important point of etiquette is dog control. Dogs must not run in during the drive while shooting is happening. This is disruptive, potentially dangerous, and considered a serious failing. Whining or barking dogs are also frowned upon.
   
   
2. Quiet and Discreet: Pickers-up should be quiet and unobtrusive during the drive. Conversation should be minimal and kept low. Movement should be limited.
   
   
3. Respect the Guns: Do not crowd the Guns or interfere with their shooting or their own retrieving efforts (some Guns work their own dogs from the peg). Avoid casting judgment on their shooting ability.
   
   
4. Prioritise Wounded Birds: Always focus efforts on finding known wounded birds first.
   
   
5. Don't "Poach" Retrieves: Avoid sending your dog for a bird that a Gun or their dog is clearly heading towards, unless it's obviously wounded and escaping, or you are asked to assist.
   
   
6. Handle Game Respectfully: Birds should be handled with respect, dispatched cleanly, and carried properly (not thrown around).
   
   
7. Professional Conduct: Maintain a polite and professional demeanour towards EVERYONE from the Shoot Captain, Keeper, Guns, Beaters, to fellow pickers-up, there is no room for egos on a shoot day.
   
   
8. Appropriate Attire: Dress should be practical, weatherproof country clothing, typically in muted greens or browns.

Contribution to the Smooth Running of a Shoot: Pickers-up are indispensable for several reasons:

1. Ethical Responsibility: They ensure the ethical conduct of the shoot by minimising animal suffering through the prompt retrieval and dispatch of wounded birds. This is arguably their most important contribution.
   
   
2. Efficiency: By systematically clearing the ground of shot birds after each drive, they allow the shoot day to proceed efficiently to the next location without undue delay.
   
   
3. Reducing Waste: They significantly reduce the number of shot birds lost, ensuring that as much game as possible enters the food chain.
   
   
4. Accurate Bag Count: Their efforts contribute to an accurate count of the birds shot and retrieved, which is important for shoot records and management.
   
   
5. Supporting the Guns: They allow the Guns to focus on safe shooting and enjoying their sport, knowing that the vital task of retrieving the birds is being handled professionally behind them.
   
   
6. Teamwork: They are an integral part of the shoot day workforce, working alongside the Keeper, Beaters, and Stops to ensure the whole operation functions correctly.

In summary, the picker-up and their trained dog/s are a highly skilled and essential component of any well-run driven game shoot in the UK. Their role centres on the ethical and efficient recovery of shot game, directly contributing to the sustainability, reputation, and smooth operation of the day.