Countryfile tackled the controversial countryside pursuit of driven grouse shooting in Sunday night’s episode but their coverage divided viewers.
Just after the start of the Glorious Twelfth – the beginning of the grouse shooting season – presenter Charlotte Smith brought together Andrew Gilruth of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), who supports grouse shooting, and Mark Avery, who campaigns for the banning of the activity.
In 2012, 700,000 red grouse were killed during the season.
Mark argued that breeding enough birds required for the shoots had seen gamekeepers illegally killing protected birds of prey that would otherwise kill the grouse.
In particular, hen harrier numbers had been so vastly reduced that there remained just three pairs in the UK.
The RSPB’s head of investigations Bob Elliot agreed that there were thousand of cases of gamekeepers killing birds of prey illegally.
Andrew claimed that studies had shown that on driven grouse moors, there was actually a higher density of threatened animal species.
[Related story: Botham and Packham in fiery encounter over grouse shooting]
It also contributes £100 million a year to the rural economy and underpins 4,000 jobs.
The two sides also discussed the measure of burning the heather on grouse moors to provide the best environment for breeding.
Mark claimed that the burning of heather was leading to problems with flooding and greenhouse gases, while the pro-shooting side said it was preventing wildfires.
Some viewers thought the explanation of the arguments was helpful.
#Countryfile Excellent coverage of 'driven grouse shooting' but all parties are still 'miles apart' on a common solution. Very sad.
— Theresia J. Crosby (@theresjenn) August 14, 2016
Nice coverage of the environmental impact of DGS #countryfile No matter what the shootin gang can say it's in the public consciousness now!
— P (@MancRockChick) August 14, 2016
Didn't expect #countryfile to solve the Raptor persecution on moors problem
but at least issue got prime time coverage— Darkpeakbirder (@darkpeakbirder) August 14, 2016
#countryfile nice to see two sides rather than just one 👏🏽👏🏽
— LINDSEY HACKETT MUA (@LHackettMakeup) August 14, 2016
But others thought it failed to capture how serious the issue was.
#Countryfile very disappointed in yr coverage on driven grouse shooting, you've made it look like a silly spat in a classroom 1/2
— lynnette price (@3birmans) August 14, 2016
Instead of very serious issue, y were there no traps shown & damage they do2 wildlife/domestic pets, @MarkAvery @ChrisGPackham @Ban_DGS
— lynnette price (@3birmans) August 14, 2016
The grouse debate on #Countryfile is a classic example of people trying to ban something they don't understand because they don't like it
— Ian Barnett (@Barneyrugby12) August 14, 2016
#Countryfile discusses driven grouse shooting but spares viewers any footage of grouse falling from the sky. Show it how it is?
— Jo Kennedy (@ChasingSticks) August 14, 2016
The issue provoked strong opinion among viewers.
Driven grouse shooting is absolutely disgusting. 😤 #Countryfile
— Claire Rollins (@Claireyyyy) August 14, 2016
#countryfile grouse shooters should take up clay pigeon shooting instead. Save nature and save the #henharrier
— Paul Simpson (@JP_Simpson) August 14, 2016
The "pro conservationist" on #Countryfile is without a soul. Conservation DOESN'T mean killing animals, birds and plants
— Emma (@EmmaGritt) August 14, 2016
There is no excuse for this outdated vanity "sport". Ban driven grouse shooting! #BanGrouseShooting #countryfile https://t.co/ITfWVXZpgy
— Ickle Misty (@UnlovableT) August 14, 2016
The point is: how can killing another living being be considered a sport? #countryfile #bbc1 #grouse
— Fiona (@FionaTomasi) August 14, 2016
Saying not all Hen Harrier land is grouse moor doesn’t matter if they get killed when they venture onto the moors, does it! #Countryfile
— Oliver Andrews (@unkn0wnvariable) August 14, 2016
.@BBCCountryfile @charlottebsmith showing murder of innocent animals. God the BBC has really gone down. Should be ashamed of yourselves.
— Richard V B (@southcoastbloke) August 14, 2016
Watching #countryfile talk about grouse shooting. I know of several estates that rely solely on that income to support the estate all year
— Wern Ganol House (@wernganolhouse) August 14, 2016
A closing observation – banning grouse shooting won't impact the rich folk that do it, but the people their money supports #countryfile
— Spike (@spikeharby) August 14, 2016
Sadly, the end of the show’s debate suggested that there was no obvious solution to the issue.
