Shooting

Grouse shooting

The grouse shooting season runs from 12 August to 10 December, with most shoots taking place during the earlier part of the season. You can help to minimise disturbance by being alert to the possibility of shooting taking place on grouse moors and taking account of advice on alternative routes. Avoid crossing land where a shoot is taking place until it is safe to do so.

Low ground shooting

Low-ground shooting can take several forms. Pheasant and partridge shooting takes place during the autumn and winter in woods and forests, and on neighbouring land. Wildfowl shooting, such as for ducks, also takes place in the autumn and winter, usually on the foreshore or on land close to water and usually around dawn and dusk. You can help minimise disturbance by being alert to the possibility of shooting taking place in these areas during the autumn and winter and by taking account of advice on alternative routes. Avoid crossing land when shooting is taking place. Avoid game bird rearing pens and keep your dog under close control or on a short lead when close to a pen.

Where would I find grouse moors?

Grouse moors are often quite high up on the rounder hill ranges in Scotland where heather and blaeberry both grow. These areas are found more frequently in the east or in central Highland hills of Scotland. Hill-sides in Perthshire, Deeside, Angus and some of Speyside are all managed for grouse. The birds live on western hills but not in high concentrations where their food plants' growth is limited.