New Delhi: The Glorious Twelfth is celebrated every year on August 12. The shooting season for red grouse starts on August 12, except when it falls on a Sunday, in which case it begins on the following day. This is one of the busiest days for hunting these birds. Red grouse populations are affected by farming for shooting and are vulnerable to disease outbreaks, causing fluctuations in their numbers from year to year. Different animals have different start dates for their open seasons, with most starting on September 1, while woodcock and pheasant have their open season beginning on October 1.
What is Glorious Twelfth?
The Glorious Twelfth, often called the ‘New Year’s Day of hunting’, has deep roots in Victorian times. Officially established in England and Wales in 1831, the day was heralded by new legislation overturning a previous law banning game hunting between August and December. Grouse shooting gained momentum during the 1850s, as the expansion of railway networks across the UK made the moors more accessible to a broader audience.
Amid food rationing during World War II in the ‘40s and ‘50s, game shooting transcended its aristocratic origins to become a vital rural pursuit. Numerous accounts emerged of farmers inviting workers to participate in large shooting parties.
Today, the tradition of the Glorious Twelfth endures, particularly in Scotland. Commencing on August 12, the grouse season spans 121 days and comes with specific regulations, including a prohibition on Sunday shooting.
Red Grouse
Grouse are incredibly fast birds, known as the “king” of game birds. They can fly up to 70 miles per hour, making them a supreme shooting challenge.
Grouse prefer heather, along with berries and seeds. They eat up to 50g of heather daily.
Red grouse have a unique call that sounds like ‘Go back! Go back! Go back!’ as they fly low above the heather.
Compared to roast chicken, roast grouse has less fat and more protein, making it a leaner option. Red grouse are found only in Britain, while their closest relative, the willow grouse, is found in other parts of the world.
Red grouses are wild birds that are not artificially reared for shooting. Moor management is carefully done to encourage breeding and support the birds, with millions of pounds spent annually on these efforts. Red grouses form pairs in autumn, and breeding happens in spring. The chicks can start flying 12 days after hatching and are fully grown in about 30 to 35 days.
Glorious Twelfth: Grouse shooting is a traditional activity every five months. It is praised for creating jobs and promoting tourism in rural areas. However, animal rights activists and environmentalists criticise this practice. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
