Small game and roe deer hunting, 2007/2008

15 900 capercaillies and 34 400 black grouses were felled during the hunting year 2007/08. This is 52 and 57 per cent more than in the previous hunting year, respectively.

More woodland birds have been felled during the last three hunting years. A higher yield of capercaillies has not been seen since the hunting year 1993/94. The yield increased in nearly all counties. In the counties of Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag and Nordland the yield has approximately doubled since the previous hunting year. In these counties 1 400, 2 900 and 400 capercaillies were felled respectively.

The yield of black grouse increased by 12 400 birds from the previous hunting year. In the counties of Hedmark, Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag the yield increased by 9 800, 2 400 and 4 300 birds respectively.

Stable grouse yield

The grouse is the most felled small game in Norway. This game accounted for nearly 50 per cent of all small game felled in the hunting year 2007/08. During this hunting year a total of 222 000 willow grouse and 101 000 ptarmigan were felled. 65 per cent of the grouses were felled in the five northernmost counties.

Most grouses were felled in Finnmark county. A total of 78 000 grouses were felled in this county, representing a decrease of 19 100 grouses from the previous hunting year. In Nord-Trøndelag county, the hunters felled 65 per cent more grouses than in the previous hunting year. In the counties of Sør-Trøndelag and Nordland the yield increased by 25 and 51 per cent respectively.

More roe deer felled

A total of 29 800 roe deer were felled in the hunting year 2007/08. This is an increase of 19 per cent from the previous hunting year, when the yield of roe deer was lower than for 20 years. Most roe deers were felled in Nord-Trøndelag county. A total of 3 400 animals were felled in this county.

Other small game

In total 24 600 mountain hares, 19 600 red foxes, 16 500 mallards and 11 600 greylag geese were felled during the hunting year 2007/08.

Tables:

• Table 1 Small game hunting. Number of grouses felled. County. 2001/02-2007/08
• Table 2 Small game- and roe deer hunting. Number of animals felled. 1995/96-2007/08