Ilkley Moor

BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, Bradford Metropolitan Council unveiled its plans to allow grouse shooting on the publicly owned Ilkley Moor which would be managed by the winner of the contract. This scheme was headed by Danny Jackson from the Countryside and Rights of Way dept and was pushed heavily by the local Conservative councilors who claimed that shooting on the moor would bring money in for its management and the local community.

The final contract was awarded to Edward Bromet, a solicitor and bloodsports enthusiast, who also owns the neighbouring Burley and Bingley moors – in other words Ilkley completed the collection for his Bingley Moor Partnership business who run grouse shooting parties in the area.

Despite the plans only recently being unveiled, West Yorkshire Hunt Sabs have obtained documents which show that discussions to allow shooting back on Ilkley Moor have been going on since 2004/5.

POINTLESS CRUELTY

The grouse shooting industry is both cruel and unnecessary and only carried out for the entertainment of those involved. Shooting parties go out between the ‘Glorious 12th’ of August (the official start of the shooting season) and November. Starting as early as 7am the shoots tour round various butts on the moors whilst beaters scare the birds out of heather towards the guns – many birds are still alive when they hit the floor following being shot. It is a common occurrence for grouse to have their wings shot off as it is difficult to kill a moving ‘target’ outright.

Investigators from West Yorkshire Hunt Sabs have also witnessed other animals which have fallen into shooting butts and had starved to death, unable to get out of the steep sides.

TRAPS AND WILDLIFE CONTROL
The Bingley Moor Partnership have been given permission to use fen traps on Ilkley Moor to kill any unwanted predators who may effect the grouse population. Animals walk over these barbaric traps and the jaws simply snap shut; rendering the animal unable to escape. A gamekeeper will check these traps usually once every few days and if the animal is still alive, they will shoot it. On other country estates and moors, animals have been documented chewing their limbs off in order to escape, but sadly many bleed to death from their injuries.

The traps don’t distinguish between what animal is caught so it could be anything from a rabbit, fox or even somebody’s dog who is walking on the moor.

TAKE ACTION
Contact details of those involved will be released shortly.