THE guns are returning to the region’s uplands as the Glorious Twelfth heralds the beginning of the grouse season.

Following damage caused to heather in last year’s late frost this year an average season is predicted on the region’s moorlands although a strong one is forecast elsewhere.

But despite that the sport is expected to be a money-spinner – and continues to be of benefit to some of the country’s most endangered birds.

England’s moorland owners are committed to a £52.5m annual spend on conservation and seriously threatened species.

Moorland Association chairman Robert Benson said: “Careful game management has seen significant gains in a number of at-risk species.

“Endangered lapwing, curlew, golden plover, ring ouzel, merlin, black grouse and grey partridge all fare far better on moorland with gamekeepers.”

He added: “We have a vital part to play in stemming the decline of some of our most vulnerable birds.

“Without shooting income the consequences to wildlife - particularly the scarce ‘red listed’ breeds - would be severe.”

George Winn-Darley, who manages 6,500 acres of North Yorkshire moorland, said: “The £67m industry is responsible for over 1,500 jobs, as well as the remarkable gains for fauna and flora.

“Shooting creates 42,500 days of work a year. With the prospects of a strong season for many moors, associated spin-offs will be in excess of £15m, essential earnings in challenging economic times.

“So many people benefit, from the food industry to hoteliers, clothing manufacturers to dry stone wallers, the list is endless.”

Shooting days can be held until December 10 - excluding Sundays – Mr Winn-Darley insisted but only the surplus population was shot to ensure a healthy wild breeding stock was left for the following year.

“Shooting usually stops well before the official end of the season, but every day is a bonus for the local economy,” he said.

Working with conservationists at Natural England, he said they were committed to restoring blanket bog habitats, damaged by wildfires, over-grazing and historic drainage, and were also mitigating the severe impact of climate change.

He added: “Without grouse moor management, many moors would revert to scrub and forest. Moorland plants, animals and precious landscapes that attract millions of visitors a year would be lost.”

However for animal rights activists the methods of land management and the grouse season itself remain a disgrace.

“It is obscene and primitive – and it is being subsidised by the taxpayers through the Common Agricultural Policy,” said Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid.

“When it all boils down this is about extreme intervention in a very sensitive landscape to maximise the number of birds simply to kill them for pleasure.”

He claimed natural predators such as stoats, weasels and others were all targeted because they disrupted shoots.