Living in England and semi retired I go to quite a few large shoots in the area picking up with my two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (rare breeds here) and could get to go about five times per week if I wanted (usually around three) for five months or more of the year. I start off on the grouse moors then the partridge then the pheasant. Those two dogs probably retrieve more game in a season that most would in a lifetime. I just like working the dogs. What you fail to mention is that the beaters get a couple of days driven bird shooting towards the end of the season as a reward as well as the payment. No-one goes for the money; you would be poor if you did, but is good excercise and far better than a gym. You also get quite a lot of pigeon and vermin shooting on the estate as a bonus also. Lagopus.....