Time to bring on their A game

We all know that some shoots struggle to make use of excess shot birds but game dealers are rising to the challenge, believes Jeremy Hobson

- Jeremy Hobson

Here’s a radical thought. Accepting that, for most, the interest in driven game shooting is related to a challenging, high-flying bird — for which some pay a premium — does it matter that shot game has virtually no value? The important factor is surely that, one way or another, it provides a meal for someone?

Relying on game dealers to provide at least a little return on the birds in the bag at the end of the day is, in the eyes of some, no longer the option it once was. Shoots say that game dealers won’t pay while game dealers say they cannot pay, or pay much. They cite smaller carcases — bred to provide that high, sporting bird — too much game being shot and, in some instances, poor care of game immediately after it has been shot.

The eponymous owner of Ben Rigby Game says that: “Most damage is done in the first 20 minutes… once a bird is cold, it’s less of a problem.”

Poor prices from dealers create a catch-22 situation. Legislation permitting and any necessary courses undertaken, more and more are finding alternative ways of selling and/or distributing game, including farmers’ markets and local pubs. Therein lies a further problem. If birds are sold — or gifted in exchange for a free meal — to pubs, such places surely have no need to buy from a game dealer.