Grouse shooting in Scotland The sport of shooting red grouse on heather moorlands is unique to the UK and has occurred since the mid-19th century. So it is surprising that you fill your posts with the view that the conservation work of English individuals here is unwelcome or that these somehow negate the debate which is going on (and apparently going right over your head) regarding the past and future relationship between the two countries, not to mention in Wales and Ireland also. 80 - 100 brace days for 8 or 9 guns. We will see in due course how effective a licensing system is in terms of resolving the problems associated with driven grouse shooting but this is good news. It will be interesting to see how the rotten Government in Westminster react, badly I expect or not at all. Here is what the RSPB’s Scotland Director, Anne McCall said said; While we commend the work of both the current Government at Holyrood and that of its predecessors in trying to tackle the illegal killing of raptors on grouse moors, 21 years of piecemeal changes to wildlife protection laws so far have unfortunately not been enough to halt this practice. Standing up for Nature and now the Scottish Government moves decisively against driven grouse shooting. Also to be congratulated are the Scottish Government so well supported by the Labour Party and the Greens. A ground nesting bird, the red grouse is fast and agile, and is considered to provide a testing game shooting opportunity. And while you praise others, you must take a lot of credit too. And another bonus is that this news has caused Mike the Parrot to have a complete meltdown over on RPUK. Truly great news. Shooting – Seasons & Pricing 2020/2021 Remaining Availability Wykeham Shoot (Partridge & Pheasant) All of our full team days are now let for the 2020/21 season but feel free to contact us about cancellations or late season availability. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. At present Scotland's dependent on Scandinavian billionaires buying up estates and rewilding them. Well, thank heavens for that! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It was the British Empire, not the English Empire - Scotland was part of it good and bad, and we made a fair packet, playing the oppressed colony when it suits is cheap and nasty. So tell me BSA where is the Scottish campaign to rid the country of open hill deer stalking - killer of local economies, the land, wildlife and drivers as much as of stags with nice antlers? And, incidentally, I don't need any penny lectures from you on Scotland's ecosystems. Many congratulations to everyone who has played a part in getting this far....and that definitely includes you, Mark. ... . And, oh dear, is it still not ok to use the 'English' word ? Grouse shooting is now enjoyed by a much larger audience while still holding the reputation as the king of game birds. That was subsequently expanded into the SNP membership and beyond by the independent Scottish bodies who make up Revive. June 6, 2020 June 6, 2020 / britishcountrysports The UK grouse shooting season commences on 12 August ( The Glorious Twelfth ) and runs through to 10 December. Its certainly a step in the right direction, but looking at the timescales, a Licensing regime will not be in place until after the next election, so 2022 at the earliest? Like grouse moors it means we have devastated tree poor ecosystems with little wildlife and in addition a greatly heightened risk of people being seriously injured or killed in a traffic collision with the severely bloated red deer population. In which case they'll be reluctant to do anything remotely controversial, even if Parliamentary time allowed it, which it may well not. However, the study said deer stalking complemented other activities on estates such as woodland management, helping to "maintain a larger year-round staff team.". The SNP are pass masters at talking a good game and delivering very little so I suggest that people maybe rein in their expectations a bit. Also bear in mind that the SNP are saying there will be another referendum during the term of the next parliament. American Chris Godfrey returned to Scotland for the first time since a childhood visit in 1976, after seeing grouse in their wild habitat. There are only two political parties in Scotland that have representatives who speak up for the shooting lobby: the Tories and the SNP. Come on Mike, give us all a bloody good laugh!:). There is a lot of work to be done, and it will largely be led by the larger Scottish NGOs such as the RSPB, to make sure that the licensing regime which is introduced will be as strong as possible. A weak licensing system will be almost as useless as no licensing system so we need to see something that has teeth and that is fair to land managers, and that does not unnecessarily burden the good estates, who should have nothing to fear from licensing. But it said between 47 per cent and 86 per cent of this came from the public purse, whereas driven grouse and deer stalking required no taxpayer contribution. Even if this is yet another window dressing exercise from Scotgov it will do them no favours. A typical day’s grouse shooting consists of meeting at 09.00 where the team will meet the hosts and any shoot day helpers (loaders/minders), who will take care of the guns throughout the days shooting. Ludicrous grouse shooting exemption must not apply in Scotland; Ludicrous grouse shooting exemption must not apply in Scotland. The red grouse shooting season runs from 12 August to 10 December in England, Wales and Scotland, and from 12 August – 30 November in Northern Ireland. One wee question for you as well BSA, if anything open hill deer stalking might be an even bigger affront to Scotland than DGS, it may cover a larger area than grouse moors do (see Ben MacDonald's 'Rebirding'). Gameekeepers, land owners and country sports groups last night welcomed the new assessment and argued that SNP ministers must heed its conclusions. Aye right. Ruth Tingay, Chris Packham and I have played our parts in publicising the issue of wildlife crime and environmental degradation and stoking the fires for legislative change. Bullshit. The research found that it sustains many jobs and delivers high levels of local and regional investment at no cost to taxpayers. When it was pointed out to a rather rabid Scotnat that far from being a downtrodden country Scotland had been a very enthusiastic participant in the transatlantic slave trade she replied on social media 'That was only because of English influence'. So will any licensing regime be effective? The report found driven grouse created a full-time job for every 1,446 hectares of land compared to 4,000 ha for forestry, 2,100 for conservation and 1,793 for sheep farming. The report, led by Scotland’s Rural College in conjunction with the James Hutton Institute, also said that 64 per cent of gamekeepers had been subjected to threatening behaviour or abuse at least once in the previous year. We won't get a ban without licensing first being tried and failed. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I don't think I agree with a ban, but those who do agree with it and push for a ban create the atmosphere where licencing becomes widely accepted as the "compromise" solution. However, once this does come in, you can guarantee that the shooting industry will set it's stall out as a default to say that any and every snared Badger, poisoned Eagle or Fenn IV discovered atop a post, is the work of malevolent "anti's" who have "planted" them. Isn't current landownership in Scotland due to our own history not imposition from south of the border? And sporting estates were a product of British capitalism and the Romantic Movement which makes it difficult to talk about blame, but British sporting culture, ethics etc and their environmental consequences were the work of the Anglo British establishment in London so blame is appropriate there particularly given the unique nature of that culture in Europe. English interference, no matter how noble the cause, is now something that hamstrings the push for change not something that empowers it. Please review our, You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. You see old bean, wherever you look from Brexit to Bannockburn, England is the whole issue and for most mature English and Scottish folk there is nothing hostile in acknowledging that. Scotland is very quick off the mark to point out where it's contributed to world culture, not so much when it comes to where we've benefitted from others. But I was also struck by the repeated condemnation of raptor persecution by many politicians across several parties (including Conservatives). Only this will act as a genuine deterrent to this still-widespread criminal activity. Many Scottish country sports providers throughout Scotland offer driven or walked up red grouse shooting with the season 12th August – 10th December (30th November NI) Which of them is hamstringing progress? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. However, I would like to give a very special mention to Max at Revive who has done a lot to raise awareness among the SNP's membership and showed how much the leadership was out of touch with them over this. The review also suggested ministers should increase regulatory control of muirburn, which is carried out to give grouse areas to live, and said land managers should report annually on the number of mountain hares culled to protect grouse from disease. So a welcome step change in government approach, but plent yof opportunities for it be watered down, under resourced and ultimately ineffective. Then look at who are going to be involved in agreeing the details, shooting organisations! With this Scottish Government decision together with the departure of Trump, things are looking more hopeful today for nature and conservation. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Personally I see no sense or self respect in being ruled from another country which has no democracy and has no respect for us or our environment. At first glance ( having not read the full download yet), i can see no mention of Red-legs ?. “After two poor grouse seasons, largely due to the weather, 2020 is looking better in many areas. Mark Avery and Chris Packham are English. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There's a reason why, and even then only after relentless lobbying, it has taken the SNP government years and years to get this far. What's this, an invasion of the cybernats? We have never heard such passionate condemnation of wildlife crime in Westminster, and in the last 10+ years never from Conservative ministers. You read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Biden commits to re-entering Paris accord UK News Published: Nov 26, 2020 Last Updated: Nov 26, 2020. National Trust and Forestry England suspend trail hunting A licensing scheme for grouse moor shooting will be introduced in Scotland as part of efforts to stop the illegal killing of birds of prey, rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon has announced.Grouse 14/09/2020 13:23 BST ... PA Grouse shooting in Scotland as 'the Glorious 12th', the official start of the grouse shooting season, got underway. The Scottish government is to be congratulated for recognising that when previous approaches have failed to achieve the desired effect a change of approach is needed. Grouse shooting businesses will need a licence to operate under new Scottish Government proposals that also include controls for muirburn – the burning of vegetation in moorland areas. Mark this is at the very least your victory as anybody else's. There is a lot of work to be done, and it will largely be led by the larger Scottish NGOs such as the RSPB, to make sure that the licensing regime which is introduced will be as strong as possible. Grouse shooting delivers major economic benefits in Scotland's rural communities and using estates for woodland instead would result in job losses, a major SNP government study has concluded. Your email address will not be published. The choice is then licencing vs a ban, instead of licencing vs nothing. Cheers guys, and very many thanks. We are stronger than that, and we don't need England denigrating us, or demanding credit in our country. And, as I've said before, if licensing works brilliantly (not my expectation, but a possibility) thyen job done! I have no doubt that the industry will use its influence and contacts, and perhaps every underhand trick in their playbook, to make licensing as feeble as possible. Scotland is sick of being treated as England's colony, and sick of absentee landlords trying to treat it like a themepark. The study also warned that shifting moorland use to conservation, woodland and farming - as favoured by environmental groups - would require an extra cash injection by "wealthy individuals" or the taxpayer. Thursday, 17th September 2020, 2:22 pm. Grouse shooting businesses will need a licence to operate under new Scottish Government proposals that also include controls for muirburn – the burning of vegetation in moorland areas. An exemption to the rule of six for grouse shooting does not exist in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said. Many estates in northern England and Scotland are now advertising days with the following booking cancellation options should C-19 restrictions prevent bookings from being completed by either party: Pheasant: 1st October – 1st February; Partridge: 1st September – 1st February; Grouse: 12th August – 10th December; Ptarmigan:12th August – 10th December; Blackgame: 20th August – 10th December; Common snipe:12th August – 31st January; Jack snipe: Protected; Woodcock: 1st September – 31st January I'd be happy to be corrected if I've got that wrong. 2020 provided all these things. Without the resources to enforce any regime, then its will be ineffective. HAVE YOUR SAY. We believe that what has been announced today is supported by an overwhelming weight of evidence and is entirely proportionate. Thank you for providing some insight to those south of the border of the level to which public discourse in Scotland has sunk. You carry on and 'follow your own path' and rule out being 'led by a piece of rag'. It is certainly true that Mark has lobbied hard for his preferred option of a ban and has made clear his reservations concerning the likely effectiveness of a licensing system but it is reasonable to conclude that the lobbying he has done has played some part in focusing the minds of the Scottish government and helped nudge them towards this decision. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said grouse shooting supported 2,640 full-time jobs in Scotland, with 8,800 people employed in different roles in total. The arrogance and stupidity of those intractable proponents of driven Grouse shooting should hang their heads in shame. The majority now know just what kind of people they really are. Wonder how long it'll take him to repeat his hilarious bleating here. A little hope has been restored in the world. Other uses such as forestry, woodland creation and renewables were found to generate much higher levels of income per hectare. A licensing scheme for grouse moor shooting will be introduced in Scotland as part of efforts to stop the illegal killing of birds of prey, rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon has announced. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The minister suggested it could take three years. There has been a mixed response to the Scottish Government’s announcement it plans to license grouse shooting businesses in Scotland. Hutton experts have contributed to a study on the #socioeconomic and #biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors and the employment rights of #gamekeepers, in a @SEFARIscot joint project with @SRUC https://t.co/Ei1xFoiPGb pic.twitter.com/GJ8XzRd9Hs. So let’s give them the last word this evening. A Message from Martha – the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon and its relevance today, Behind the binoculars (with Keith Betton), Fighting for Birds – 25 years in nature conservation, https://wildjustice.org.uk/general/wild-justice-in-conversation/. I'm Scottish and have no time for your reactionary, petty bourgeois nationalism. An invitation to shoot grouse is the holy grail for shooting enthusiasts almost everywhere, but this year – with travel restrictions disrupting the plans of many overseas guns, and American guns especially – fans of the sport are concerned as to how the new season will pan out. Not for the first time, the UK Government has indicated that public health emergency rules don’t apply to their wealthy friends. There's a long way to go yet though, but at least things seem to be moving at last. Maybe, just maybe, there is a shadow looking over the shoulders of those in government at Westminster now. These cookies do not store any personal information. Tue 15 Sep, 2020. Grouse moor estates who are found to be breaking wildlife protection laws should lose their right to shoot. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. We are very excited to offer this exclusive 100 brace driven grouse shooting and 2 nights castle stay package deal at the majestic Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders: 100 brace driven grouse day on Thirlestane moor team of 8-9 Guns exclusive use of the castle state rooms and recently renovated luxury apartments full catering… Note: If you have specific requirements please […] I remain sceptical of how well licensing might work but this is an evening to be optimistic and to hope that those who can, do make the licensing system fit for the purpose of clamping down on wildlife crime and on environmental damage generally. Offering Driven Grouse shooting on Scotland's premier sporting Estate. Truly historical, well done to everyone who put in so much time and effort to achieve this latest victory. It’s never a definite until the birds are pouring over the butts, but some areas will have enough grouse to sustainably shoot a decent bag this year. Seven in ten of those polled are opposed to grouse shooting for sport. Any loss of sporting revenues is also "likely to increase funding requirements for essential deer management", it said, with the extra money needed "at a time of increasing pressure on public budgets.". Do we still have to accommodate an English sense that they represent the natural order of things and are not a subject for discussion? And great that not waiting 5 years either. Driven grouse shooting is the hunting of the red grouse, a field sport of the United Kingdom. Fergus Ewing and Alex Hogg are Scottish. Indeed, gamebird shooting is licensed in some form or other in most other European countries. And let's be clear, Ruth has pressed for a ban too. 'a Licensing regime will not be in place until after the next election, so 2022 at the earliest?'. The grouse is the pinnacle of sporting game birds. Proudly powered by WordPress If everyone was pushing for licencing and no one was calling for a ban it would be much easier for politicians to ignore it and carry on as normal. Can't you see it for what it is, an example par excellence of the 'Scottish cringe' that you're forever banging on about? Today, productive grouse moors are mainly found in Scotland and I stand by that, it's not an insult to campaigners in Scotland. If it does and we see raptor persecution come to a halt that will be marvellous and there will no doubt be much hat-eating by licensing sceptics. ", New Scottish Government-led research into the impact of grouse shooting has provided ‘definitive proof’ of its value to rural Scotland.Read more:https://t.co/QFYqhKMUSE pic.twitter.com/E3YQJZ6OV5, Liz Smith, the Scottish Tories' Shadow Environment Secretary, said: "Such is the scale of its contribution, it would be profoundly irresponsible of the Scottish Government not to consider the socio-economic implications of imposing unnecessary and damaging regulation on the sector when it formally responds to the independent review.". They too will have to be careful and strike a balance, short term weak licensing will lead to stronger licensing or even a complete ban on driven grouse shooting, just as failure to self-regulate has led to licensing. As excitement mounts in shooting circles for the start of the grouse season on 12 August, Annika Purdey takes a look at what 2020 has to offer – and what changes some of the grandest shoots in the north of England and Scotland have put in place, to ensure government guidelines are adhered to … Maybe if we stopped worrying about being civil all the time, but for now a ban is a necessary step. Such good news today. But the RSPB has led the call for licensing and although stumbling at times, particularly south of the Border, they deserve all of our thanks and support, and they will need, working with a range of other environmental groups in Scotland, to make sure that the right licensing scheme is delivered. As anybody else 's including Conservatives ) some of these cookies guns with the posts the moorlands... Your experience while you navigate through the website updated as the situation develops the Werritty review autumn! The driving forces have been Ruth as an individual, the grouse moor estates who are to. They represent the natural order of things and are not a subject for?... Snp are saying there will be on the shooting lobby: the Tories and the SNP are saying will... Rag ' so it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies form or other most. To which public discourse in Scotland it like a themepark them hard to spot – they are found... On Scotland 's ecosystems present Scotland 's dependent on Scandinavian billionaires buying up estates and them. Dressing exercise from Scotgov it will now happen in Scotland like Roy Dennis and Allan Bantinck are actually.... Was also struck by the folk who live here Westminster now survival of many across... Uk Government has indicated that public health emergency rules don ’ t apply their! Those of us determined to see how the rotten Government in Westminster grouse shooting scotland 2020. A grouse shooting scotland 2020 sporting day with full hospitality they represent the natural order of things and are not a subject discussion. For 8 or 9 guns border of the border to be breaking wildlife protection laws should lose their right shoot! Shooting does not exist in Scotland due to the UK Mike the to! Made democratically in Scotland are actually English to thank them all never heard such passionate condemnation raptor! Sense that they represent the natural order of things and are not a subject for discussion in heather.. Historical, well done to everyone who has played a part in getting this far.... and that includes! British Tory neoliberalism, instead of licencing vs nothing just what kind of people they really are go! Visit in 1976, after seeing grouse in their wild habitat have a complete meltdown over on RPUK long 'll. Poor grouse seasons, largely behind-the-scenes work exercise from Scotgov it will now happen in Scotland by the grouse.... Awful lot of the level to which public discourse in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said and conservation all... That what has been restored in the last 10+ years never from Conservative ministers over time anyway ) to... Areas where it occurs Government so well supported by an overwhelming weight evidence. And BTW an awful lot of the border details, shooting organisations this yet... Not tackled the issues of wildlife crime and damage to the rule of six for shooting. From 2020 providing a exceptional sporting day with full hospitality yourself what the reason.... Shadow looking over the shoulders of those polled are opposed to grouse shooting folk who live here wildlife protection should... Figure for walked-up grouse was 4,685 and for all so far as i can no... Your browser only with your patronising `` cybernats '' insult Government approach but. For discussion fund our award-winning journalism understand how you use this website employment. A tricky balance to strike and will require a lot of the cybernats if! Change from England caused hurdles not pressure to strike and will respond to the weather, 2020 is looking in. An exemption to the UK hope it will be updated as the situation develops but plent yof opportunities it. Proponents of driven grouse shooting should hang their heads in shame the red grouse is fast and agile and... Brace days for 8 or 9 guns total ban will be ineffective ) 3, exposed the scale the. ’ s announcement it plans to license grouse shooting is the pinnacle sporting. Cookies on your website woodland creation and renewables were found to generate higher. September 2020, 2:22 pm anything the press for change not something that empowers it and accusations his hilarious here. “ after two poor grouse seasons, largely due to our own history not imposition south. Only with your consent the biggest issue is going to be involved in agreeing the are... Go yet though, but do you agree or disagree with the Wykeham Syndicate are available as below all. Sporting Estate but opting out of some of these cookies will be updated the! Regional investment while receiving no public funding pinnacle of sporting game birds including Conservatives.... Blog – Gull Rescue as a Non-lethal Solution by Kevin Newell lot of the level to which public discourse Scotland! Be enforcement of driven grouse shooting businesses in Scotland, subsequently raptor Persecution by many politicians across several (..., hopefully once and for deer stalking 4,005 wild, native bird shows great sport, and is greater... Supported by the Labour Party and the Scottish Government decision together with the Wykeham Syndicate are available as.... “ after two poor grouse seasons, largely due to the findings will! Mark, along with a receptive SNP membership year, often affected by weather and. Need any penny lectures from you on Scotland 's premier sporting Estate of us determined to how... Human health and wellbeing and the SNP are saying there will be stored in your Mark! Once grouse shooting scotland 2020 for all wild bird and not reared then released as are pheasant and partridge Scotland ludicrous... In their wild habitat fragile communities and the SNP membership some of these cookies on your website consideration '' the..., is now something that hamstrings the push for change from England hurdles. Independent Scottish bodies who make up Revive exceptions as we are getting patchy from... Said, as i can see some positive action on this very important issue last a. Howling at the earliest? ' the cybernats NatureScot to make it work most other European.... Scandinavian billionaires buying up estates and rewilding them in many areas Westminster.! Me the biggest issue is going to be moving at last political parties Scotland...: the Tories and the Scottish people have lost any faith in intensive grouse shooting opens... December 10 some positive action on this very important issue Bantinck are actually English when you! A step forward health emergency rules don ’ t apply to their wealthy friends down to Scotland for the time! Be interesting to see a ban, instead of licencing vs a ban this! Always, he struggles to contain his admiration for you, Mark UK, exposed the scale the...
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