Mountain hare populations in UK uplands have declined significantly, with management including culling on grouse moors creating welfare and conservation controversy.
Mountain hare welfare is affected by both natural pressures and management-related culling. Culling without regulatory oversight raises welfare concerns about methods, seasonality and kill efficiency. The seasonal close season protects breeding females and leverets but does not address culling outside this period. Integrated upland management approaches that protect mountain hares while managing tick burdens are available but require willingness to move beyond intensive grouse management.