Grouse, unlike deer, don't need to be shot "per se" in that they would otherwise damage crops or woodlands that have a cash value.
But they do need to be managed to ensure a healthy population that the food resources of the moor can sustain. So an over abundance usually leads to pressure on their natural food supply and birds in poor condition/fewer birds by the start of the next year's season.
Also by late September or early October they are usually too "wild" to be walked up and rise well out of range for that to be difficult. But it's capital sport (other than having to carry a bleeding game bag about). And, of course, there's the black game (with the black cock and grey hen) and, in Scotland, blue hare to mix the "bag" a bit.
Just be sure who carries what, though, if you shoot a blue hare! All in it's a good day and twenty cartridges per "gun" is adequate walking up.
But they do need to be managed to ensure a healthy population that the food resources of the moor can sustain. So an over abundance usually leads to pressure on their natural food supply and birds in poor condition/fewer birds by the start of the next year's season.
Also by late September or early October they are usually too "wild" to be walked up and rise well out of range for that to be difficult. But it's capital sport (other than having to carry a bleeding game bag about). And, of course, there's the black game (with the black cock and grey hen) and, in Scotland, blue hare to mix the "bag" a bit.
Just be sure who carries what, though, if you shoot a blue hare! All in it's a good day and twenty cartridges per "gun" is adequate walking up.
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