Beating. If you want to learn about shooting, there is no better way to start. Not only is it a way of having a great day out in the countryside, it's also good for a bit of pocket money too!

But what is it and what does it involve? Well, beaters are responsible for flushing the birds over the guns on a driven day's game shooting. What it involves, in its simplest form, is being part of a line of people walking slowly through the wood tapping gently with a stick to make the birds fly. Of course it can get very much more complicated than that, and there are other jobs involved, such as flagging, which means you stand in front of the area where the birds are emerging with a big white flag. As they fly out you wave it like mad to make them fly higher.

Often beaters will have their dogs with them, which work close to their handler quietly pushing the birds up - and you'll learn some very interesting new words from the gamekeeper if they don't!

On a typical day you would meet at about 9.30am, beat until lunchtime - when, depending on the shoot, your lunch is provided, or you take sandwiches. Then there will be a couple of drives in the afternoon, finishing at about 3pm. And for that you may well get paid anything between £10 to £20, however many people do it purely for the fun and exercise.

Once you have been beating for a couple of seasons and are trusted by the keeper, he will often let you bring your dog along: and you will get plenty of training opportunities and good advice.

And, if you are a regular beater and a safe shot, you may also get an invitation to the beaters' shoot which usually takes place on the last day of the season. This is where you get a chance to shoot - followed by a a celebratory end of season meal, and it's all free.

Want to find out more? Then contact your nearest gamekeeper, or anyone you know who regularly shoots; they should be able to give you some names to contact, and if you are polite and persistent, you could end up agreeing that beating is some of the best fun you've ever had!