In the world of game shooting, the picking-up dog plays a crucial role, ensuring that all game is retrieved efficiently, with particular focus on finding injured animals as quickly as possible. These dogs are not only valuable for their ability to locate dead game but are indispensable when it comes to recovering injured birds—often referred to as “runners” or “pricked” birds—that need to be dispatched promptly by the handler.
While anyone can collect visible dead game, the job of a picking-up dog becomes vital when birds fall in difficult-to-reach areas, such as thick cover, or when birds are injured and run off, making them harder to find. Injured game must be recovered quickly to avoid suffering, and a well-trained dog is able to track these birds and retrieve them efficiently, bringing them back to hand so that they can be properly dispatched.
One of the key aspects of this role is knowing when to send your dog. Not every piece of fallen game requires immediate retrieval. If the bird is visible and dead, it’s best not to send the dog right away, as there are higher priorities—namely, the pricked birds that may escape or become difficult to find if left too long. A good handler will save their dog’s energy for these critical tasks and leave simpler retrievals for later.
Another important element is the “sweep” after a drive. Game can easily fall out of sight, especially in areas with thick cover. These areas might not be spotted by the guns, but a skilled picking-up dog will find birds in these hidden spots. After the main retrievals, sweeping through the drive ensures no game is left behind. This is where coordination between handlers is essential. Liaising with fellow pickers-up is important to ensure that all areas are covered thoroughly without overlapping efforts.
To get the best out of your dogs, it’s essential to work to their strengths. Each dog has its own unique skill set, and a handler who knows their dogs well can rotate them to match the demands of the job. For instance, one dog may excel in covering ground quickly, while another might have a superior nose for finding game in thick cover. Working your dogs as a team and swapping them out to ensure they stay fresh between drives is key to maximizing efficiency while preventing exhaustion.
In summary, the picking-up dog is an invaluable part of the shoot, particularly for their ability to locate and retrieve injured game. This ensures both humane dispatch and an efficient, thorough shoot day. By working with the strengths of each dog and communicating with other handlers, a well-organized picking-up team can make all the difference in ensuring a successful day in the field.