The Glorious Twelfth 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The Glorious Twelfth is an annual festivity celebrated on August 12. The day signifies the start of the red grouse shooting season and is considered one of the busiest days of the shooting season. On this day, a significant amount of game is typically hunted and shot. Red grouse are typically raised for hunting, resulting in an unnaturally high population. They are also susceptible to disease outbreaks, which causes their annual population to fluctuate. When the twelfth of August falls on a Sunday, the holiday is moved to the following day, August 13, because English law prohibits the shooting of game birds on Sundays. Different animals’ open seasons begin at different times. The majority of open seasons commence on September 1. The open season for woodcock and pheasant begins on October 1.

The background of The Glorious Twelfth

The Glorious Twelfth is celebrated annually on August 12 in the United Kingdom. As the commencement of the red grouse hunting season, it is one of the busiest days of the shooting season. Some refer to it as “New Year’s Day of Hunting” because it marks the beginning of the 121-day red grouse hunting season.

As unbelievable as it may sound, the day was established in England and Wales in 1831 by the Game Act, which replaced a previous law established in 1773 that forbade game hunting between August 12 and December 10. The new Game Act, however, requires all hunters to have a licence during this hunting season.

Midway through the 19th century, the Victorians constructed railways that facilitated access to the moors. This contributed to the establishment of grouse shooting. People were able to travel with their equipment more readily, and fortunately, the breech-loading shotgun was invented around the same time. It was a shotgun equipped with a loaded cartridge. These advancements have contributed to the enjoyable experience grouse shooters have come to appreciate today.

The holiday is a valuable source of revenue for the community. According to G.W.C.T. research, grouse shooting promotes job creation. An estimated 500 employment are supported by grouse shooting on 140 “core” grouse estates in Scotland. Additionally, it contributes approximately £6.7 million in wages to the economy and £10.7 million to the gross domestic product. The holiday and associated activities benefit the economy in general.

The Glorious Twelfth is a challenging and entertaining shooting sport. It is less enjoyable for the red grouse. Animal rights activists have expressed significant opposition to the sport of grouse hunting. Some individuals view it as an unnecessary and obsolete activity. It is believed that the activity is detrimental to the species and its environment.

Twelfth Night 2023: Date, History and Traditions

THE WONDERFUL TWELVE ACTIVITIES

Kill a grouse

You can participate in the celebration by adhering to the custom of shooting grouse. If you appreciate shooting games for sport, you will adore this particular holiday.

Participate in a game

If you’re not particular about grouse, you can hunt other legal game such as woodcock or pheasant. Numerous individuals enjoy the sport of target shooting.

Eat flesh

Meat can be consumed during the holiday celebration. It makes no difference if you shot it yourself; you can simply appreciate the meal.

5 OUTRAGEOUS FACTS ABOUT RED GROUSE

The red grouse is endemic to Britain because it evolved in isolation from its other subspecies.

It is known that grouse inhabit heather moorland.

Heather on the moor provides sustenance for grouse.

Predators such as foxes, ravens, and stoats are capable of attacking grouse.

The management of grouse moors generates over 1,500 full-time employment in England.

THE GLORIOUS TWELFTH DATES