Grouse Shooting Season Begins Amidst Challenges and Regulations – Scottish Business News

Today, 12 August, is the start of the grouse shooting season and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation is highlighting its importance to Scotland’s conservation and the rural economy, despite the challenges of low grouse counts and the impact of new grouse shoot licensing.

This year’s season arrives in the wake of significant legislative changes, with the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act representing the most substantial regulation of grouse shooting in decades with the introduction of grouse shoot licensing.

BASC was instrumental in the removal of some of the disproportionate powers that would have been granted to NatureScot under the new Act but issues still remain, with concerns that the licence conditions relate to whole landholdings rather than areas specific to the shooting of red grouse.

The new licensing scheme is not the only challenge facing the sector. Low grouse numbers have a knock-on impact on the wider rural economy.

Approximately 68,000 individuals in Scotland are actively involved in shooting-related activities and shooting in Scotland generates £780m of wider economic activity in the UK economy.

This will be impacted by cancelled grouse days, accommodation stays, and other bookings made in the local area.

Despite lower grouse numbers this year, the dedicated efforts and private investment to bolster biodiversity, restore habitats and promote conservation persist.

Sustainable management of grouse moors brings significant benefits to Scotland’s uplands.

The conservation value of shooting to Scotland is £176 million. Sustainable grouse moor management is supported by various land management practices including wildfire mitigation.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: “Whilst grouse counts are lower this year and the outlook is less optimistic for the season ahead, the start of the season is ultimately a celebration of all the hard work that gamekeepers and land managers put into sustainable grouse moor management.

“The sector is now facing the double whammy of a new licensing scheme and shoot day cancellations due to low grouse numbers, which will have a ripple effect throughout the rural economy.

“Sustainable grouse moor management contributes immensely to biodiversity and net zero targets, despite receiving no direct grant funding. Crucial conservation work will continue despite the reduction or absence of grouse shooting.

“With this season being the first one in Scotland to experience licensing, BASC is working in the interests of its members to ensure licensing is reflective of the provisions of the Act and that the immense effort put into grouse moor management is recognised at Holyrood.”