Wild Hare Conservation and Welfare: Brown and Mountain

Both brown hares and mountain hares face significant welfare and conservation pressures in the UK, from habitat loss and coursing to controversial mountain hare culls on grouse moors.

Key Facts

UK brown hare populations have declined by 80% since the 1960s
Mountain hares are culled in large numbers on Scottish grouse moors to reduce tick burden
An estimated 25,000-40,000 mountain hares are shot annually in Scotland
Hare coursing - setting dogs to pursue hares - was banned under the Hunting Act 2004
Illegal coursing remains a significant problem in rural England
Brown hares rely on mixed farmland with hedgerows and uncultivated margins
The hare is one of the UK's fastest land animals and a culturally iconic species

Welfare Considerations

Hare welfare is threatened from multiple directions. Mountain hare culls on grouse moors cause suffering through shooting and wounding, and the ecological justification is contested. Brown hares suffer from habitat loss that reduces food availability and cover from predators. Illegal coursing causes extreme fear and physical injury. Both species are sensitive, fast-moving prey animals where injuries from shooting or coursing may not result in immediate death. Protected status for mountain hares and stronger enforcement against coursing are key welfare priorities.

What You Can Do

Support Scottish campaigns for mountain hare protected status
Report suspected hare coursing to the police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit
Plant or advocate for hare-friendly field margins and hedgerows in your area
Support the Hare Preservation Trust
Oppose grouse moor management that includes mountain hare culling