Small game and roe deer hunting, 2013/2014

The number of grouse harvested was at a record low in the hunting season 2012/2013, and the growth last hunting season is from a low level. In total, 100 000 willow grouse and 52 000 ptarmigan were shot, representing an increase of 29 and 22 per cent respectively. There was an increased yield in all counties.

Willow grouse and ptarmigan are the most important small game species in Norway. The annual harvesting of grouse has declined from over half a million in the hunting season 1999/2000 to 152 000 in the last hunting season. The reason for this huge decline can be attributed to several factors. As a result of the decreasing population of grouse, landowners in many places have limited the number of hunters, and bag limits have been applied. In other places, hunting has been stopped. Less hunting pressure as a result of the restrictions may also explain some of the decrease.

Large increase in Sør-Trøndealg

A total of 16 000 grouse were harvested in Sør-Trøndelag, which is almost double that of the previous hunting season. Most grouse were shot in Troms, where 26 000 were harvested in total.

A total of 22 000 grouse were harvested in Finnmark; an increase of 35 per cent. In previous years, Finnmark has harvested the most grouse, and in 2005/2006 more than 100 000 grouse were shot in that county.

Grouse hunters hunted for 5 hunting days on average

Grouse hunters hunted for 5 hunting days on average. The average yield per hunting day was 0.7 grouse. Sixty-nine per cent hunted for fewer than 6 hunting days, 21 per cent for 6-10 hunting days, 6 per cent for 11-15 hunting days and 4 per cent for more than 15 hunting days.

More capercaillie shot

A total of 7 300 capercaillie and 14 500 black grouse were shot in 2013/2014. The yield of capercaillie increased by 25 per cent, and much of the rise is due to an increase in bag size in Hedmark, where the harvest of woodland bird increased by more than 60 per cent. In total, 14 500 black grouse were shot, which is unchanged from the previous hunting season.

44 000 wood pigeon

Wood pigeon is one of the most frequently harvested small game species in Norway. In total, 44 000 wood pigeons were shot last hunting season. In each of the counties of Østfold, Akershus and Hedmark, approximately 8 000 were shot.

13 600 mallards harvested

In 20013/2014, a total of 13 600 mallards and 11 500 common eider were harvested.

More greylag geese shot

In total, 15 700 greylag geese were shot in 2013/2014; an increase of 15 per cent from the previous hunting season. A total of 2 800 Canada geese and 2 000 pink-footed geese were shot.

Small decrease for roe deer

In total, 25 700 roe deer were shot; a decrease of 1 000 from the previous hunting season.