THE GLORIOUS TWELFTH
August 12th is just another day to most people, but to many it marks the opening day of the red grouse shooting season, across Britain and Northern Ireland known as The Glorious Twelfth.
Unique to Britain, the Red Grouse is regarded as the "king" of game birds and is found only in the heather moorlands of the United Kingdom.
The grouse is an extremely fast, low flying bird and can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour which will test even the best shots.
Driven red grouse shooting is one of the most exclusive field sports in the world and is worth is worth an estimated £150 million to the British economy and creates thousands of jobs. The grouse shooting season lasts 121 days with no shooting, as like with many other game bird, allowed on Sundays.
By early evening on August 12th, Red Grouse shot that day will be on the menu of restaurants around the Cotswolds.
WHERE TO EAT IT
The Bell at Langford, Swan at Ascott-under-Wychwood and Chequers at Churchill are racing to the finest shooting estates of North Yorkshire to bring the first grouse of the season back to the Cotswolds.
ESSENTIALS THIS SHOOTING SEASON
SHOOTING POUCH
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SCHOFFEL OAKHAM FLEECE
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LEATHER HUNTERS FLASK
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UK GAME SEASONS
Pheasant
October 1st–February 1st (England, Scotland & Wales)
October 1st–January 1st (Northern Ireland)
Partridge
September 1st–February 1st (England, Scotland & Wales)
October 1st–January 31st (Northern Ireland)
Grouse
August 12th–December 10th (England, Scotland & Wales)
August 12th–November 30th (Northern Ireland)
Common Snipe
August 12th–January 31st (England, Scotland & Wales)
September 1st–January 31st (Northern Ireland)