Grouse shooting season off to misty start in Scotland
A gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
FORNETH MOOR, Scotland (Reuters) - Britain's grouse shooting season officially began on Monday, with misty wet Scottish weather not proving an impediment for those taking part.
Grouse are medium to large-sized birds, similar to partridges, with round bodies and short, broad wings and the red grouse in particular is associated with heather, which grows in Scotland.
Hunting enthusiasts highlight what they say is their role in sustaining the countryside through tourism, employment and conservation of farms.
A gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Grouse shooting contributes 32 million pounds to the Scottish economy and supports 2,640 full jobs in remote areas, according to Gift of Grouse, a group promoting the sport.
However environmental campaigners say that because grouse moors are intensively managed to ensure that high numbers of grouse breed, other native wildlife such as foxes, mountain hares and birds of prey are "controlled".
Shooting for sport in Britain dates back to Victorian times, and the season usually starts on August 12, or "the glorious 12th".
A gun dog sits on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
(Reporting by Russell Cheyne; writing by Elisabeth O'Leary)
A gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain August 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYA member of a shooting party on Forneth Moor holds the first grouse shot on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA member of a shooting party holds a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party on Forneth Moor prepare to set off on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of shooting party wait on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA member of a shooting party on Forneth Moor holds the first grouse shot on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA member of a shooting party on Forneth Moor holds at grouse shot on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party on Forneth Moor prepare to set off on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA gundog retrieves a grouse on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party on Forneth Moor prepare to set off on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA member of a shooting party takes a shot on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party wait on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party on Forneth Moor laugh before they set off on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party wait on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMembers of a shooting party walk on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneA gundog runs through heather on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell CheyneShotgun cartridges are seen on the belt of a member of a shooting party on Forneth Moor on the opening day of the grouse shooting season, Scotland, Britain Aug 13, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
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