Income

For the 2017/18 season shoots increased their charges per bird by an average of 49p, which is 1.4%. On 58% of participating shoots the average income per bird shot on let days was lower than the price quoted per bird due to the leeway offered before overages. It is therefore important to fully scrutinise income, expenditure and performance before fixing future charges.

Staff salaries

Salary reviews on shoots have reflected trends in the wider economy. Only 10% of shoots did not increase salaries this year and the average salary increase was 2.5%.

We benchmark salaries and benefits for head keepers, beat keepers and single-handed keepers. During the 2017/18 season, the average salary for a single-handed keeper was £21,100, plus benefits. For 90% of single-handed keepers, a house was included as part of their remuneration package.

Beaters’ and pickers-up’ pay

The Survey shows that at £2.63 per bird shot, pay for beaters and pickers-up is one of the largest costs for shoots. Most shoots pay beaters £25–35 per day and pickers-up £30–50 per day. Traditionally beaters and pickers-up have been provided with lunch as well as being paid.

Average pay rates have increased by 32% for beaters and 33% for pickers-up since 2010/11. Inflation in this cost has been more rapid over the last three seasons due to the impact of the National Living Wage. The overall cost of beaters and pickers-up per bird has not increased by the same proportion suggesting shoots have compensated by using less staff on the day, or shoot days are larger and/or fewer in number.

Profitability

Variable costs for the 2017/18 season were at their highest since 2013/14, when they also averaged £8.60 per bird put down. Back in 2013/14 just over half of shoots made a loss, however last season they fared better and the proportion was down to 42%. This improvement reflects the fact shoots have increased their income while reducing their fixed costs per bird.

On average shoots made a profit of 8p per bird shot in 2017/18; but this average conceals a significant range of performance. Shoots making a profit averaged £4.74 per bird shot, whilst those making a loss averaged £6.51 per bird shot. The overall average performance being close to breakeven is similar to the 2016/17 season when the average shoot lost 36p per bird shot.