Job’s worth in the field

This season, many of us will be out in the field beating, loading and picking-up, but will we get paid fairly for our efforts, asks Ellena Swift

It is a pretty fair assumption that there are few people for whom beating, picking-up or even loading is their main source of income throughout the season. Though the money is welcome, it by no means replaces a regular salary — particularly since earnings on a shoot now have to be declared and, if applicable, taxed. This leaves very little for the hard worker.

Despite the low “pay” it is rare to hear anyone complain. The majority of people who get involved in our sport do so because they have an unrivalled passion for shooting, the countryside and everything that goes with it. A lot of shoots, in fact, pay nothing at all, yet it is rare to find these shoots short of beaters or pickers-up.

I love working my dogs on shoot days, in whatever role is required. Most weeks I will be picking-up at least three days, beating for one and loading on another. If I am really lucky I might even get the odd day’s shooting as well. I enjoy each of these roles for different reasons and they certainly present different challenges. There are many people who, like me, enjoy the variation of these roles and others who would much rather stick to one preferred job. I have no doubt that the latter do not stick to one role because of the pay but because of their passion and enjoyment for that particular role.

Despite this, I was surprised, and frankly disheartened, to overhear individuals on a shoot last season moaning as to why one job was paid more than another. While I was aware that there was a difference in wage packet, it never occurred to me to compare or moan. So I decided to look into their grievance.

Loaders are nearly always paid

— I have yet to come across a shoot where the loader goes home emptyhanded. However, it is normally the Gun who “tips” the loader rather than the keeper delivering the pay packet at the end of the day. As it is a tip rather than set pay, it is totally subjective to each individual Gun on the day. Some Guns may be thrilled with the job their loader has done and feel a £100-plus tip is in order.

Legendary tip

I have also heard the story — perhaps an urban legend — of a team of

days’ shooting. Their loaders were basically their personal assistants for the duration of their stay, including driving, minding, loading and taking

one of the Guns — who had bought

— simply handed their loader the keys of the 4x4 as their “tip”.

“An experienced loader is a joy to watch — their technique is flawless and they can keep up no matter how quick the shooting”