BASC gave the BBC the facts on grouse in a live radio interview this morning.
BBC Radio Lancashire listeners heard that a number of shoots in the north of England were being called off to allow grouse numbers to recover from the effects of this year’s weather.
BASC North director Duncan Thomas said on the programme:
“This year the grouse numbers haven’t done so well. Basically, the Beast from the East flattened the heather very early spring, the hen grouse didn’t get into good condition. The result is that with the hot, long summer that we’ve all enjoyed, the grouse didn’t and chick numbers are poor.”
Mr Thomas told listeners that this year there wouldn’t be a sustainable surplus to shoot and guns would be put away to allow grouse numbers to recover.
He also highlighted the work of gamekeepers in creating a “superb” environment and habitat for a vast range of species to survive and talked about grouse as food.
Duncan Thomas’ interview stars at around 8.09am.
ENDS
