Glorious Twelfth has a rightful place

Madam, – Everyone is entitled to express an honest opinion.

However, the use of emotive language, inaccuracies and out-of-context statements only serves to undermine any argument suggesting that an issue is flawed.

I fear that Jennifer White’s letter (“Ban the ‘Inglorious Twelfth’ shooting spree”, The Courier, August 12) attacking the Glorious Twelfth fell into this category.

There were several disingenuous statements and it is difficult to know where to start.

Although several hundred thousands of grouse are shot in the whole of the UK each year, the control of these numbers is restricted to maintain a sustainable population.

The trapping of “hawks, falcons and owls” is rightly illegal and heavily condemned by the shooting community.

Any burning of heather is rigorously controlled by the Scottish Government’s regulations and code of practice.

Moreover, it preserves the heather landscape that Donna Hampton wishes to enjoy (“Socalled sport has no place”, Letters, August 12).

However, Donna is mistaken in saying that “it is impossible to miss” grouse.

I am told that they are extremely difficult to hit.

It has been shown that where grouse moors have been unmanaged and left to languish they become bio-diversity wildernesses with loss of heather, ground-nesting birds, other songbirds and wildlife.

I gather that shooting also brings in considerable foreign revenue to Scotland and the rural community.

Perhaps Jennifer White, with her ethical concern for animals, should take up the cause of the hundred million chickens that are killed every month in the UK for our food chain. Alistair Montgomery. 8 Beechwood Terrace, Dundee.