VALUE OF GROUSE SHOOTINGS IN GREAT BRITAIN 499 



Large as these figures- are, they do not exhaust the list of benefits, for there 

 are other indirect profits which it is impossible to state even approxi- 



1 • /• rni 1. -1 T ■ • • Building of 



mately in figures. I lie building, equipping, and maintenance of shooting 

 shooting lodges alone must represent a very large sum paid into the " 

 pockets of local contractors and tradesmen. 



Lastly, it must be noted that the Grouse shootings of Great Britain bear 

 a very large share of the burden of taxation. In the sparsely populated High- 

 lands of Scotland the proportion is often very striking, for in some Payment 

 parishes there are no towns or villages, hardly any agriculture, °^**^^'*- 

 nothing of value but the sheep farms and Grouse moors. In such parishes 

 it is often found that the value of the shootings amounts to one-half, or even 

 three - fourths of the assessed rental. If the shootings lost their value the 

 whole of this proportion would fall upon other interests. 



In " Grouse and Grouse Moors " attention is drawn to the benefits which 

 accrue to the Imperial Exchequer by the issue of game licences, gun licences, 

 and game dealing licences. The total amount of these licences in Scotland 

 alone is stated at £34,166, of which nearly £30,000 is paid for game licences. 



From the foregoing brief summary it will be seen that Grouse shootings 

 are an important item in the welfare of the country, and that it would be a 

 serious calamity if anything occurred to impair their value. Yet from 



-AccGss to 



time to time legislation has been proposed which would strike a serious Mountains 



Bill 



blow at this source of national wealth. The Access to Mountains 

 Bill, which aroused so much controversy when it came before the House of 

 Commons, received support from many urban members who did not realise 

 its significance. If in the future any legislation on the subject should 

 be introduced, much harm might be avoided by providing reasonable safe- 

 guards. The solution might be found in the multiplication of rights of way, but 

 in return the public should be expected to leave the moors undisturbed during 

 the nesting and shooting seasons, and to refrain from wanton damage. 



Note on the Manageinent of Sheep Stocks. 



The Committee has frequently been consulted by owners of Grouse moors as 

 to the advisability of removing or reducing the sheep stock upon their land, 

 with a view to improving the yield of Grouse. The subject is one on which 

 it is difficult to lay down a general rule, owing to the variety of the conditions 

 in difi"erent parts of the country. The following remarks must therefore be 



