Grouse Shooting - The Real Story

An accurate and honest film showcasing facts and faces from managed moorlands.
Our moorlands mean everything to those who live and work there. Managed grouse moors are proven havens for wildlife and a vital source of income.
Please watch, read and follow the facts.
Without Grouse Shooting this happens - Berwyn study in Wales.
www.moorlandass...
Hen Harrier and Grouse Report;
www.gwct.org.uk...
2016 Lead Ammunition Report;
www.gov.uk/gov...
file/537391/truss-letter-ammunition-wildlife-160712.pdf
Tharme Report, Journal of Applied Ecology. Management for Red Grouse Shooting Effects;
onlinelibrary.w...
RSPB Report on Impact of Predation;
www.wildlifetru...
GWCT Waders on the Fringe, Version 2;
www.gwct.org.u...
Muirburn Report;
www.wateratleed...
Blanket Bog Restoration Strategy;
publications.na...
Scotland's Moorland Forum - Understanding Predation Report;
www.moorlandfor...
Contact Jonathan M. McGee for more information
[e-mail]
UK [phone]

[@MC-mp5wx]

Brilliant. Really well put together, informative and, most importantly, beautifully shot and edited. This is the kind of quality media that would have a huge impact on those on the fence if we all shared on social media. Thanks.

[@Ruger41mag]

Hunters on all Continents are true conservationists. When a real value is placed upon the wildlife, then the wildlife flourish and humanity gains on multiple levels. Thanks for telling this story of the moorland.

[@Minecrfting]

Passenger pigeons are flourishing in America due to exactly this!!

[@gntgrnd]

Excellent film showing the heart of grouse shooting and moorland management.

[@adrianbird4116]

Really , really good video Jonathan, the perfect antidote to the distorted view presented by Packham and his cronies who have absolutely no understanding of the wider picture. Keep up the good work!

[@michelleoates7523]

stupid reply

[@adrianbird4116]

+michele oman Why is that, perhaps because you don't agree with it?

[@adrianbird4116]

+michele oman www.moorlandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Berwyn-Report.pdf

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks for your comment Adrian, fact over fiction.

[@nerofilmproductions380]

Great video! Nice to see a well put together documentary on the many positives of game shooting, as there are many people who rant about shooting without any real knowledge or facts.

[@garethmillar6685]

Thanks Johnathon I always look forward to your videos. Great to see what is actually happening on the moors.

[@paulbromley5750]

The moorlands of England should house something like 300 pairs of Hen Harriers, instead they were home I believe to 3 pairs .... If the grouse industry is nothing to do with their demise then something very strange is going on ! .

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks for your comment Paul. I agree it is strange there are not more Hen Harriers, persecution could be the answer. Obviously you'll be aware that killing a bird of prey is illegal. The shooting community does not condone this and is active in prosecuting those that do. Hen Harrier numbers have always fluctuated, this links to many factors but with managed moorlands and the wealth of habitat they provide thankfully there numbers are on the rise. If you ever want to come out on the moors and see the wildlife they host first hand let me know. Kindest regards

[@Matunder1]

Listening to this one wonders how the Lapwing, Golden plover, curlew etc etc got on before grouse moors existed! I find them barren, devoid of diversity and mere shadow of what they could be if native trees were allowed to return across large areas of the moors. "if it wasn't for the management of the moors In 50 years this would be scrub" Well yes - followed by Birch, Rowen, Hawthorn, holly, Scots pine and a much wider diversity of wildlife.

[@Yorkie263]

Very good video. people who do not understand the work and effort that goes on should go out with a keeper and take note.

[@freedomofabird]

Definitely your most 'useful' film yet. It shows the most honest view of moorland management at a time when moorland management by the shooting family is under a big threat from mis-information. Well done. Very very enjoyable and excellently filmed as usual.

[@condescendingcamper3425]

Honest? It was one sided. One could be forgiven for thinking that was a Conservative party political broadcast.

[@salopsniper22]

Great video Johathan really good job !

[@charlescody7075]

This is an accurate account of the positive impact of Grouse Shooting on local communities, moorland, the local economy, employment and schools. It's a balanced view which Chris Packham's piece fails to achieve. If he is concerned about Grouse Shooting perhaps he should turn his attention to the Beef, Lamb and Pork industry. The numbers involved dwarf those of Grouse shooting. As was made clear in Jonathan's video Grouse go directly into the food chain. Or would he prefer us all to be vegetarians?

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks Charles and great to meet you. Jonathan

[@lrflambert]

Can someone tag that absolute muppet Chris Packham in this!? Maybe he'll learn something!

[@tomcresswell646]

yeah ur right m8

[@condescendingcamper3425]

Learn something from one sided dross? Behave!

[@scoop8650]

regardless of your opinion on shooting , the diversity of wildlife on a grouse moor is a wonderfull thing to see and as a hill walker i have to agree with a keepered moor

[@SomethingNewEveryDay]

Agree, in the ever growing development of the modern world these spaces for natural are becoming even more vital to wildlife.

[@MaxSafeheaD]

Might seem like a daft question to some but what exactly is wrong with alowing the landscape to return to scrub? It's seems a streatch to claim that by strangling a biosphere down to knee-deep heather and grass you're actually doing anything but strangling a biosphere.

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Hi MaxSafeheaD, thanks for your comment and its not a silly question at all, I hope I can provide some answers given my limited knowledge. The point of these films is to educate those who wish to know more just like yourself. I am however not sure I understand your question. Are you asking why the heather needs to be kept to low? If this is the question then there are multiple reasons. The main reason heather is kept short is that shorter, younger vegetation is what all the mammals, insects and birdlife live off, this is their diet. Once heather and grasses are allowed to grow beyond a certain point they become undigestible to our huge populations of wading birds and of course the grazing cattle that live throughout the year on the lands. The next purpose of removing thicker, longer heather is fire risks. Thicker and longer stretches of moorland are susceptible to wild fires and although our gamekeepers and moorland workers are trained to deal with fires its a necessity that the risks are reduced before they come an issue. Another point is the peat and moss that are found on our moors need light and space to thrive. When heather gets older and longer it creates a canopy over the ground reducing light penetration thus nothing below can grow. Management be that burning or cutting longer heather also allows for what is know as edge territory. All mammals and birdlife require stages of heather to thrive. They require shorter much younger heather to feed on, mid length for nesting and slightly longer for cover and protection from the elements. Its been proven that longer heather doesn't support any of the above. As it mentions in the above film if our moorlands were left to fend for themselves heather would grow out of control, wildlife would be lost due to insufficient habitat, wild fires would be rife, mosses and peat covered by blanket brackens and water retention removed. I hope this helps and please have a read of the links below should you need further info. If not message back and I will do my best to point you in the right direction. Hope to see you on the moors soon. Jonathan Without Grouse Shooting this happens - Berwyn study in Wales. www.moorlandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Berwyn-Report.pdf Tharme Report, Journal of Applied Ecology. Management for Red Grouse Shooting Effects; onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00597.x/full GWCT Waders on the Fringe, Version 2; www.gwct.org.uk/media/249256/waders_on_the_fringev2.pdf Muirburn Report; www.wateratleeds.org/fileadmin/documents/water_at_leeds/Ember_report.pdf Blanket Bog Restoration Strategy; publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5476256970702848?category=35004

[@MaxSafeheaD]

Shooting Photography by Jonathan M. McGee Perfect, that's just the kind of think I was looking for. Thank you very much. I shall have a read.

[@kateminty3610]

Well done, a very rounded, accurate and well presented price of journalism. We need to get this message as far and wide as possible. Thank you for doing something positive for our livihood.

[@condescendingcamper3425]

It's one sided drivel.

[@sportingartist9574]

Hi Jonathan, cracking film as always and lovely to watch when I'm in the studio painting and can't get out. Keep up the good work. G

[@SuffolkFarmLife]

Fantastic video as always Jonathan. Everybody is entitled to an opinion, but it would be refreshing if people could gain as much factual knowledge and ideally first hand experience of living and working in the countryside, as many of us: farming, shooting, conservation, etc participants do. I wish that more people would spend their time in the countryside learning as much about it as possible, and realise that the countryside is so influenced by man (and has been for a longtime), that there is not just a natural balance that can be left to manage itself. I would like anybody to show evidence of an area high in numbers of: Crows, Magpies, Foxes, etc, that also has a thriving population of songbirds and ground nesting birds. A very interesting ongoing study: www.gwct.org.uk/allerton/songbird-research/ Anyway, please keep making these well put together videos, which will hopefully help some people further their understanding of the ways in which many of us try to responsibly manage the countryside that we love to spend our time in. Well done.

[@cameradude486]

Nice piece. Great flow. Do you do both the shooting and the editing?

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Barry Acton That's right Barry. All done by the www.shootingphotography.co.uk team.

[@cameradude486]

Looking through your channel and enjoying what you are producing. I'm using Sony FS7 and A7s along with the GoPro and phantom 3 for fishing stuff. Haven't had a chance to work on hunting stuff. Hoping to expand into it. Do I understand your using the FS5? Any other B cameras?

[@chardydardy]

Are you watching Chris Packham ???????

[@cazthebaldfox]

well set out film from a neutral perpective . if only the people who are negative could actually admit that they have never even been on a well managed moor and a badly managed one .only then they would appreciate the complete positive contribution to all wild life.

[@sprinch]

this video ain't neutral.

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks for your comment. We have tried to be as neutral as possible whilst highlighting all the honest and scientific facts. What else would you like us to cover? Thanks. Jonathan

[@condescendingcamper3425]

Neutral? It was one sided. Anything but neutral.

[@534blaze]

Excellent video.

[@fred3480]

As every time ..fantastic!

[@SuburbanBushwacker]

nice one Jonnie,

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks mate. Hope your well? J

[@ikrasa3316]

great video, good luck

[@mattwilliams3893]

As a 16 year old I love beating they right about youngsters enjoying being out in the countryside

[@NoliCrociCacciaPesca]

fantastic video...amazing

[@wadeslovick2815]

Do you even eat them after killing them?

[@KevinMilnerFarmingPhotography]

Out standing video will do Jonathan M. McGee

[@TheKevzx6r]

Gamekeepers telling the truth. Fucking belters!

[@alisonbailey8614]

Horrible pastime. If it was a self sustaining industry that was not propped up by poorly spent public money you might have a point. Thats before we start talking about the environmental impact of what happens to the water that should be held on high uplands. You cannot go around calling one side of an arguement "propoganda" and call this balanced. Its not balanced at all, merely the other side of an arguement. Give up the grants, stand on your own two feet like most businesses have to and stop ruining the landscape for your hobby.

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Thanks for your comment Alison. The above film is a documentary showcasing the time I have spent on the moors, as far as I am aware its as balanced as possible. I am not one to enter into arguments for or against as all are entitled to their opinions, opinions must be backed by facts. I appreciate many don't agree with the sport shooting industry but it supports areas that would otherwise not survive and thats before the benefits to upland wildlife. As far as I am aware moorland owners do not receive grants or ANY public money for their wildlife management but grants are issued on the basis of farming, grazing and maintenance of highways etc. Moorland owners use income generated from grouse shooting to maintain the landscapes, this is proven. Thanks for your comment and lets try and keep these debates amicable. Kindest regards. Jonathan Here are some studies for you to peruse at your leisure; Without Grouse Shooting this happens - Berwyn study in Wales; www.moorlandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Berwyn-Report.pdf Hen Harrier and Grouse Report; www.gwct.org.uk/wildlife/research/birds/raptors/hen-harrier/hen-harriers-and-grouse/ 2016 Lead Ammunition Report; www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537391/truss-letter-ammunition-wildlife-160712.pdf Tharme Report, Journal of Applied Ecology. Management for Red Grouse Shooting Effects; onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00597.x/full RSPB Report on Impact of Predation; www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/rspb-predator-report_1.pdf GWCT Waders on the Fringe, Version 2; www.gwct.org.uk/media/249256/waders_on_the_fringev2.pdf Muirburn Report; www.wateratleeds.org/fileadmin/documents/water_at_leeds/Ember_report.pdf Blanket Bog Restoration Strategy; publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5476256970702848?category=35004 Scotland's Moorland Forum - Understanding Predation Report; www.moorlandforum.org.uk/understanding-predation-report-launch

[@rondawes1243]

Well Alison, you may have your wish to stop upland subsidies when we leave the EU. Would your objections then cease?

[@raybede]

This is not a "pastime" Alison it is a way of life and a "Sport" one of the few to warrant the name. I think if you speak to any Moor owner and listen to their replies I think you'll find that it costs them considerable sums to buy maintain and run a moor to these very high standards. I should look closer before you make such sweeping statements.

[@duckhunter8203]

Alison Bailey Talking off poorly spent money, that expensive looking wedding dress you have could have bought you a lovely side by side 😂

[@MBCGRS]

Why does this type of shooting video spend so much time justifying what thay do..? No laws are being broken. The people who watch these are mostly shooters. Not the anti out door sports lot. Why cant we just make a great English shooting video that says, this is what we do and we enjoy doing it.... If you don't like it... tough.

[@ionamcg622]

Ive been beating and picking up since I was 8 years old and love every minute

[@TheAquaticGeek]

Disgraceful, this is the 21st century people. Swap your rifles for a DSLR and enjoy all the birds forever, similar skill set required and I'm sure more fun 'shooting' the birds without harming them.

[@MrFREDANG]

i suppose you feel the same about deer stalking as well?

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Hey Ian, thanks for your comment and I honestly appreciate your feedback. I myself am a photographer and specialise in wildlife and people. I understand that the shooting of animals like the red grouse isn't for everyone but as the film states driven grouse shooting is the financial driver that provides over £100m towards moorland conservation each year. Without the grouse shooting their would be no incentive to maintain the lands and I'm certain no-one else to pay for it. We would welcome you to come up on the moors in May/June to photo and film the birds and mammals with us, its truly breathtaking. Kindest regards. Jonathan

[@Thumtwiddler]

Why does the land need to be maintained? Seemed to do pretty well for eons by itself?

[@JonathanMMcGee]

Without moorland maintenance i.e burning of old heather, creating peat bogs, blanket moss restoration, reduction of grazing, predator management etc etc there would be no land to maintain just inedible grasses and ferns with can sustain no mammal or bird life. Here are some links to independent studies produced; Without Grouse Shooting this happens - Berwyn study in Wales. www.moorlandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Berwyn-Report.pdf Hen Harrier and Grouse Report; www.gwct.org.uk/wildlife/research/birds/raptors/hen-harrier/hen-harriers-and-grouse/ 2016 Lead Ammunition Report; www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ file/537391/truss-letter-ammunition-wildlife-160712.pdf Tharme Report, Journal of Applied Ecology. Management for Red Grouse Shooting Effects; onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00597.x/full RSPB Report on Impact of Predation; www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/rspb-predator-report_1.pdf GWCT Waders on the Fringe, Version 2; www.gwct.org.uk/media/249256/waders_on_the_fringev2.pdf Muirburn Report; www.wateratleeds.org/fileadmin/documents/water_at_leeds/Ember_report.pdf Blanket Bog Restoration Strategy; publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5476256970702848?category=35004 Scotland's Moorland Forum - Understanding Predation Report; www.moorlandforum.org.uk/understanding-predation-report-launch

[@Thumtwiddler]

In the short term, eventually nature would take it's course and there would be trees, wildlife etc. In the short term to get a more balanced, wild landscape it may be necessary to 'rewild' and kickstart the process (plant trees, reintroduce species). Of course not all the land could be 'rewilded for many reasons and there's no reason to (nor possibility) of getting rid of all grouse moors etc but far too much of our land is denuded of wildlife, trees and nature for hunting (which is uniquely related in this country to class and associated traditions), and the benefit of the few, not only grouse shooting but deer hunting also. Many, many people feel as I do that this is unacceptable. A balance need to be struck and give and take on both sides required. Incidentally, I'm not at all against real hunting, just when it massively skews the environment and ecosystem and is on an industrial scale.

[@raybede]

The Zealot Packham can have no true response to this. These are good hard working country people that DO NOT deserve the derision that Packham and his like utter about them. These are the people that maintain the wild places for future generations and should be congratulated for doing so.

[@zeeox]

Where are our Hen Harriers @raybede?

[@bracken10011]

raybede Wild can't be maintained, it isn't wild it's managed.

[@bracken10011]

These areas should be covered in trees.

[@scoop8650]

regardless of your opinion on shooting , the diversity of wildlife on a grouse moor is a wonderfull thing to see and as a hill walker i have to agree with a keepered moor

[@zeeox]

Would you like to see elk, black grouse, beaver dams, lynx tracks, golden eagle... hen harriers on your hill walks? I would!

[@scoop8650]

+zeeox i see hen harriers , black grouse and golden eagle on the moors already i don't want lynx , elk beaver , wolf or bear on the hills , forrests or moors

[@zeeox]

No Hen Harriers have bred on English grouse moors in 2016. Black Grouse don't live on driven grouse moors as the habitat's not right. And Golden Eagles don't live in England full stop. I see your interest in "the diversity of wildlife on a grouse moor" is selective. That's fine. But let's not pretend it is what it isn't. Proof of more Curlew, Golden Plover and Lapwing (contestable by the way) does not mean "more biodiversity", it just means a different type of wildlife thanks to all the other wildlife killed to maintain ground nesting birds. Whether it's what you might define as 'vermin' as regards Red Grouse numbers (Fox, Crow, Stoat, Mountain Hare) or what simply gets in the way when burning or 'prepping' (Lizards, Adders, Raptors... trees), let's agree then: I want to see a full, rich catalogue of wildlife and habitats on our uplands, and you want a walk where you see the odd Red Grouse and associated innocent wildlife that doesn't get in the way of maintaining their NON-biodiverse, naturally UNSUSTAINABLE, numbers.

[@scoop8650]

+zeeox i'm no wildlife expert but i prefer walking where lapwing and curlew calls fill the air

[@zeeox]

That's absolutely fine! I am not going to carry on at you for what you like to see compared to myself. But all I am saying is just be careful with suggesting you "agree with a keepered moor" as being good for a "diversity of wildlife". Whilst killing all sorts of animals to maintain Red Grouse numbers also undoubtedly helps a few specific species of vulnerable nesting waders who might otherwise be killed by Stoats, Crows, Foxes, Buzzards and Hen Harriers, I would argue that that doesn't define "biodiversity". It's monoculture with a few nice birds. And be wary that the statistics suggesting it is only moorland managed for grouse shooting that is good for such birds. www.bto.org/news-events/press-releases/british-trust-ornithology-press-statement-pennine-grouse-moor-survey . I love the call of the Curlew too by the way. But I'd also love to see Skydancing Hen Harriers and their food passes - amazing! Maybe one day... petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125003