What is a picker-up worth?

many of the larger shoots, much of the picker-up’s role entails sweeping up, which means hunting an area of ground thoroughly to ensure all the birds that have been shot are picked and taken to the game cart. There are opportunities for those fulfilling retrieves that don’t always go according to plan but I’m sure we all come out of the season with an eternal memory or two of the ‘exceptional’ retrieve. There’s no doubt being a picker-up is a demanding role and the dogs have to be fit and well trained to work a successful day in the field. I’m sure you’ll agree each season brings different challenges and rewards and by the end of January we have a good idea what needs to be revisited in