How late is too late to drive birds ?

[Walker570]

5 hours ago, matone said:

Agreed ,people seem to forget that staff on shoots already put in a long day to provide a normal program..

Yup, I always try to go and thank the beaters/pickers up before I tip the Keeper.

[Scully]

I’ve read right through this thread, and find people’s differing points of view interesting, and thought some may be interested in a little insight into our first day on the Partridge.  
Some beaters and pickers up were there from around 0730, with the last arriving around an hour later. 
The guns didn’t turn up ‘til going on for 1000 hrs, which we considered a bit tardy bearing in mind five drives were scheduled, but, their money, their choice. 
It started raining quite heavily around 0800, and the beating through heavy canary grass was horrendous for beaters and dogs equally, and the birds were reluctant to fly as many would already be wet.
We did three similar drives in the same conditions, only being able to tell where each other were by waving flags above the cover. 🏳️😀
After the third drive we stopped for lunch and even though it stopped raining during lunch we were surprised when the guns came back out, but they did, so after a change of clothes for some, on we went to the next drive. 
Much to our relief the boss called it a day following this drive, as time was getting on for 1600ish. 
I doubt the bag was achieved due to a late start and the conditions, but the guns seemed happy enough, as were the beaters, who kept smiling ( mostly ) through seven hours of much less than minimum wage per hour, torrential rain and soaking wet six foot tall cover!
But we’re not there for the gratitude ( although it is rare the guns don’t make known their appreciation ) or the money. 🙂