North Pennines grouse season to deliver £1m in wages

Estates across the North Pennines are preparing for a significantly stronger grouse season, with 318 driven days planned across 31 moors and more than £1m in wages set to be paid directly to shoot-day staff. The figures come from a survey by the North Pennines Moorland Group published as the season opened on the Glorious Twelfth.

What did the survey find?

The group surveyed the 31 moors undertaking driven grouse shooting across the North Pennines and found 318 driven days currently pencilled in for the coming season. Based on figures provided by the moors, those days will generate approximately £1,064,460 in wages paid directly to shoot-day staff, including beaters, flankers and pickers-up.

The total does not include the many additional low-ground days taking place across the region, nor the caterers, loaders, drivers, gamekeepers, estate staff and suppliers a driven day requires. It also excludes the wider spending by visiting Guns and staff in local pubs, restaurants, shops, accommodation and garages across the dales, so the group says the true economic contribution to the region is considerably larger than the headline wage figure.

Why does this season matter so much?

Summer brood counts have shown good numbers of young grouse on many moors, giving estates the confidence to proceed after a difficult 2025 season in which many days were lost.

Sarah Hare, coordinator of the North Pennines Moorland Group, said: “After last year’s disappointing numbers, the encouraging brood counts have provided a welcome boost to estates, keepers, shoot staff and the wider businesses which benefit from the season. While conditions and grouse numbers vary from moor to moor, the overall picture is considerably more encouraging than it was this time last year.”

Who pays for it all?

The investment behind the season is entirely private rather than public money, and the group points out that it circulates locally and repeatedly, providing an important source of income to communities throughout the North Pennines. Gamekeepers and estates spend the whole year managing habitat and controlling predators to create the conditions in which grouse can thrive.

What happens next?

The first drives of the season begin today. Ms Hare said: “The red grouse is a bird held in exceptionally high regard by everyone involved in the industry. Tomorrow, as the first shots of the new season echo across the North Pennines, there will be a great deal of relief and excitement among those who have worked throughout the year to make the season possible.”