The fake news about grouse moors
23rd June 2022
BASC’s Gareth Dockerty sorts fiction from fact regarding grouse shooting on Yorkshire Water’s moorland.
No Moor Myths
Setting the record straight on grouse
This year, we want to set the record straight on grouse. Together, we can dispel the myths about grouse moor management and bring the truth to the fore.
Now is the time for #NoMoorMyths
The benefits of moorland management
90%
of English grouse moors fall within a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
79%
of the Pennines and N. Yorks Moors’ Special Protection Areas are managed for grouse
Almost £100 million
is the estimated annual value of grouse shooting in England, Wales and Scotland
At least 40,000
people take part in grouse shooting annually, and the average day brings 40 people together
More than 2,500 full time jobs
are supported by grouse shooting in England, Scotland and Wales
Up to 5 times
more threatened wading birds supported on moors managed by gamekeepers
Managing heather helps preserve and protect the UK’S BIGGEST
CARBON STORE IN PEAT
75%
of all the world’s heather moorland is found in Britain because of grouse moor management
Reduced risk of wildfires by controlled burning
Fresh water sources and reduced flood risk:
70%
of the UK’s drinking water comes from the uplands
*Information from Value of Shooting report
Related news
Read more...
Grouse-degradation
10th December 2021
Does the phrase grouse-degradation suitably describe the systematic attacks on grouse shooting seen in the media and online? BASC’s Gareth Dockerty considers the issue…
Grouse season – the press edition
12th August 2021
Read our round-up of the press and media coverage surrounding the Glorious Twelfth and the opening of the grouse season.
Relive our Simply Glorious! 2020 campaign
Last year saw BASC promote the conservation credentials and wider benefits of grouse moors to the UK through a major media campaign.
Using key newspaper publications in areas where grouse moors are a central part of the local fabric, we spread the word about the value of grouse shooting to the local community, economy and wildlife. Read more about the campaign here.
BASC Simply Glorious! adverts were featured in the following publications:
- Front and back page on Yorkshire Post
- The Scotsman
- Deeside Piper
- Lancashire Post
- Clitheroe Advertiser
- Sheffield Star
- Derbyshire Times
- Yorkshire Post online
Grouse Shooting on the Moorlands
Grouse shooting takes place on moorland as far south as Wales and Derbyshire and as far north as the Highlands of Scotland.
Moorland managed for grouse shooting delivers a vast array of benefits for wildlife, marginal communities, the rural economy and the wider upland landscape, while facilitating the harvest of a completely wild, healthy and nutritious food source.
The grouse shooting season starts on 12 August (often referred to as the ‘Glorious Twelfth’) and finishes on 10 December.
