Key facts
- The grouse shooting season traditionally starts on August 12th.
- Wildfires are currently raging across UK moors.
- Environmental experts are calling for a ban on the "Glorious Twelfth" due to wildfires.
- Intensive moorland management, including peatland burning, is cited as a factor increasing fire risks.
- Chefs are reporting a shortage of grouse this year.
- Some chefs are refusing to source grouse from estates linked to raptor persecution.
The upcoming grouse shooting season, traditionally commencing on August 12th, is under threat from multiple environmental and ethical concerns. Wildfires are currently raging across UK moors, leading to increasing calls from environmental groups and experts to ban the "Glorious Twelfth." These experts contend that current moorland management techniques, particularly the practice of burning peatlands, contribute to the heightened risk and intensity of wildfires. The ecological damage caused by these fires is a primary concern, impacting the delicate moorland ecosystems. Beyond the fire threat, the availability of grouse for the season is also in question. Chefs are reporting a noticeable shortage of the game bird this year. This scarcity is compounded by ethical objections from some within the culinary industry. A number of chefs have stated they will refuse to source grouse from estates that have been linked to raptor persecution, adding another layer of complexity to the season's prospects. The combination of environmental damage from fires and ongoing debates surrounding wildlife management practices casts a shadow over the traditional start of the grouse shooting season.