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86,500 acres of heather moorland is maintained for grouse shooting on the North York Moors. The season starts on the 12th August, the Glorious Twelfth and lasts until 10th December. The grouse population naturally fluctuates on a seven to twelve year cycle so shooting does not happen every year.

Generally a count is undertaken in late July. If the count does not reach 200 grouse per square kilometre then the shoot is cancelled for that year. This is to ensure a sufficient number of grouse for the next year. Even so the estimated annual revenue for the North York Moors grouse moors is £3.5m with employment and other costs amounting to £1.3m.

Visitors pay in the region of £120 to shoot a brace of birds. In addition they bring in up to £0.5m into the area for food and accommodation.

Management of the heather moorland involves its periodical burning to encourage new heather growth on which the grouse depends for food.

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