Last Day Beating on the Derbyshire Grouse Moor

EJW · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

Andrew

Great shots, there’s such eagerness in their faces.

Andrew, I know nothing of how the Grouse Moors work, is there a book on the subject? You say that’s the last day on that moor - Who makes that decision and why (sorry to ask – just trying to educate myself Confused

).

John

Eshiels · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

Contender · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

I thought that we've been through this thing about posting very, very nice cockers on the lab forum? Laughing

No, really good action shots, Andrew, I guess that new camera and lens are proving to be a really good investment...

Natasha

monkeyboy · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

John,

I'm not sure if there's a book on Grouse Moor management, but it is an absolutely fascinating subject. I was privileged to load this season for the countrys leading expert in moorland regeneration, on a double gun day, what a day that was.

It's a very complex calculation to determine how many days a moor can be shot, and it's based on the number of birds resident on the moor.

There's a count done of nesting pairs in early spring, and then a second count done in summer, which gives you an indication of how successfully birds have bred.

These counts are done by handlers with pointers, and they count the same area of moor each year, so that for any given figure on that area, a calculation is made, that arrives at an approximation of the population for the whole moor.

Once that figure is arrived at, the moor owner, or shoot captain decides how many birds should be taken off the moor, to leave a good breeding stock. It is vitally important to control the breeding stock, too many birds left on the moor, will lead to a decline in numbers, as old **** grouse will hold a large number of hens, but will become infertile, thus the numbers of chicks produced will drop.

At the end of every shoot day, the bag is always split between young and old birds, so that you know exactly what you are taking off the moor.

There are so many factors that affect the Grouses' ability to survive and thrive, some of which can be managed such as predator control, and heather burning, some of which cannot, such as the weather, and parasites such as the strongyle worm.

Young Grouse feed on insects, and then young heather shoots, which is why burning programme is so important on a moor, old rank heather is no good for anything.

Because Grouse are wild birds, that live in a very wild, and not easily managed environment, it is not an exact science, but it is based proven methods that have worked for years.

Hope that helps.

Andrew

PS As you may have guessed, I'm a bit of a saddo when it comes to Grouse moors, I just love being up there, at any time of the year.

Sandyback · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/203-5331317-6768708?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keyword s=grouse

EJW · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:

Andrew – Thanks for that explanation, really very interesting. I have read about the Moor management balancing act but to be honest with you I never realised that a given Moor had so few days shot on it, it kind of justifies the cost of a days Grouse shooting. Do you think the GCT would have guidelines on the subject?

Those assessment and counting days using Pointers have to be something in their own right, I would imagine. I think I’ve said before that I have a soft spot for Pointers, particularly the old fashioned ones, there’s just not enough room for them down here.

I don’t think you’re a bit of a saddo at all wanting to be in a beautiful wilderness.

Sandyback – Thanks for the link, I would imagine the book in question would be more about the life cycle of the bird than the management of the moor, but still very interesting.

John

Sandyback · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject:

John, that link should have given you several different books. I thought the one by The Duke of Westminster and Brian Martin may have fitted the bill.

EJW · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

monkeyboy · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

John,

I'm sure the CGT will have something, The Moorland Association, and The Heather Trust will be worth a look as well I would think.

I you ever fancy venturing North for a day on the hill, I think I'll be able to arrange something for you. I'll even lend you a tame cocker for the day!!!!

Andrew

EJW · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: