GROUSE numbers could be down this year amid fears the wet weather has taken its toll on breeding.

The warning – from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation – comes as the grouse shooting season begins on Monday , drawing local hunters to moorland around Holmfirth and Meltham.

But experts believe high levels of investment in staff and infrastructure by local grouse moor owners could lead to higher numbers than normal.

Matthew Watson, a surveyor at Savills in York, which looks after rural estates, said: “Twenty twelve looks like it could be a record season for more than just our Olympians.

“The prospects are good for the coming grouse season. Many moors are reporting strong grouse numbers, some are comparable to last year, some even better.

“There are inevitably variances to this, however several moors broke their all-time records for numbers last year.

“For 2012 the good news is that moors are mainly reporting increases in numbers. This will mean that bag records will most likely be broken again.”