Grouse shooting has long been touted as a traditional English pastime, but behind the veneer of heritage lies a deeply troubling reality. Every year, tens of thousands of red grouse are shot across England’s moorlands to satisfy a niche, profit-driven ‘sport’. This practice comes at a devastating cost to wildlife, ecosystems, and the broader environment. It’s time to expose the darker side of this industry and advocate for change.

The season ends today – 10 December – but each year, on the infamous “Glorious Twelfth” of August, the slaughter begins again as estates across England host events where thousands of grouse are shot. Data compiled by the League suggests more than 600,000 red grouse are killed annually. Grouse populations are artificially inflated by intensive moorland management practices, including the systematic eradication of natural predators like foxes, stoats, and birds of prey. This is achieved through cruel methods such as snaring and trapping, which indiscriminately kill both target and non-target species.

The traps used are shockingly brutal. Snares, for example, are thin wire loops designed to immobilise animals, leading to a slow and agonising death. Non-target species, including badgers, hares, and domestic pets, often fall victim to these devices. This industrial-scale persecution of wildlife has no place in modern society.