Yorkshire. George, a gamekeeper, and his friend Charlie are rabbiting with a Jack Russell and a ferret. George delivers the rabbits to the butcher and gets money and a healthy slice of pie in return.

George goes to the pub and meets some drinking acquaintances. The landlord isn't happy that he's bought in a "foreign pie", but he agrees to have some as long as George doesn't cut it with his dirty penknife. The conversation turns to a local man who has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for poaching and trespassing. George approves of the punishment and tells them all that if he caught them on the land he looks after then he'd turn them in. The others argue that the land only belongs to the rich because they took it years ago when the old kings dished it out to their cronies. George is uncomfortable with the conversation.

Summer - Rearing the Pheasant Chicks.

George tenderly nurtures the newly-born chicks with the help of his young sons. Later, George comes across two young girls from the nearby estate picking bluebells in the woods. He gives them a telling off for trespassing and scares them away. He then empties various traps and resets them carefully.

He meets a tractor-driving friend to whom he complains about his lengthy hours and the amount of forelock tugging that is required. George seems preoccupied with the earlier conversation he had in the pub. He contemplates returning to his old job and his racing pigeon hobby.

He goes to see the estate manager and complains that the window frame in his cottage still hasn't been repaired. The manager replies that there's a lot of paperwork involved, but George is insistent and also tells him that the carpet is damp and will also soon need replacing.

Some weeks later, George releases the maturing chicks into the woods. Once this job is done he goes on to shoot a fox after his dog Spot has driven it from the den. They look for more foxes, only for Spot to get trapped under some rocks in the quarry. George remains in the quarry all night, until eventually he is able to free Spot and they return home.

September - Shooting Grouse

George is at home with his wife Mary preparing for the Grouse shoot. Mary wishes that they could have a few days away in Blackpool but George ignores this, collects a gun dog and heads out. He exchanges banter with his colleagues and on the way to the shoot points out the steel plant where he used to work. When they arrive George chats respectfully with the duke and then the shooting commences, eventually ending with a large lunch for the gentry.

October - The Pheasants are ready

George is out feeding the pheasants when he spies two poachers. One of the poacher's dogs has hurt his foot and when George accosts them its owner stays behind rather than escape. He protests his innocence but George threatens to shoot the dog if the owner doesn't accompany him to the police station.

The pheasant hunt is about to start when George hears that the beaters are planning to go on strike if they don't get a raise. George is amused by this. The spokesman asks the duke for more money and he agrees to increase the pay but won't use the men again in the future. As the hunt begins, George angrily swears at the beaters to keep them in line. The duke takes offence at this because ladies are present and asks the manager to have a word with George after the shoot. Despite his swearing, George is tipped by the duke and the shooters stand around enjoying a drink afterwards.

George returns to the mansion, where preparations are taking place for the evening's banquet. His wife Mary is working in the kitchen for the evening. When George finally arrives home alone he heats up a packaged steak and kidney pie, some frozen chips and a tin of processed peas for his dinner.