The North York Moors are well known as a grouse shooting area. The heather covered moorland is managed to support a large community of grouse birds ready for the annual shooting season which begins each year on 12th August.
My walk last Friday took me along the disused Rosedale Railway track bed from Little Blakey towards Chimney Bank, above the village of Rosedale Abbey. Along the way I spotted a group of vehicles with shooters making their way to the grouse butts from which they shoot.
A section of the disused railway was closed ahead of me, so I stopped and had a chat with the head beater who was directing the movements of 30 beaters. The beaters were moving towards the shooters who were off to the left of the shot. The beaters waved their flags and sometimes shouted to drive the birds hidden in the heather up into the air and towards the guns.
I knew this process in theory, but to see it in practice was quite surprising. I was amazed by the large numbers of birds that escaped the guns. Perhaps they were an inept group of shooters, perhaps the beaters were having a bad day, or perhaps the grouse had read the escape manual!
This hasn't made me pro shooting, but it has widened my understanding, and it was a useful learning experience watching the shoot.
Difficult to have a clear opinion on the shooting. Beter it was we could prefent it. But nature itself is cruel too. Killing is never nicely done.
(Yes. She `s alway`s aviable and willing too.)
Really enjoyed your narrative and image. I don't have a problem with the grouse shoot with family who grew up in the country. It's all part of the ebb and flow of life and keeping stocks in balance, but no, they don't hunt down every last bird and escapees are just fine.
Btw you asked me what sort of processing tools to create the collage of yesterday. Well it is Picasa for the collage. For the photos I normally use Photoshop.
great narrative and interesting read. glad your shot was of the beaters and not the shooters. Agree, I have heard it in theory, and to see this is eye opening
Thank you all for your comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
I neither condone or condemn this sport. I was trying to be objective and to share objectively what I saw, although I was glad to see the large numbers of grouse that escaped.
(Yes. She `s alway`s aviable and willing too.)
Thank you all for your comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
I neither condone or condemn this sport. I was trying to be objective and to share objectively what I saw, although I was glad to see the large numbers of grouse that escaped.
Ian
Ian
Ian