Registered mortality of large carnivores

The hunting year

One hunting year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year.

Large predators

Large predators include bears, wolves, wolverines and lynx.

Large birds of prey

Large birds of prey include white-tailed eagles, goshawks and golden eagles.

Licensed hunting

The authorities grant a licence to shoot large carnivores in cases where it is necessary to reduce the growth of a carnivore stock to avoid them causing damage and prevent the loss of livestock.

Quota hunting

Quota hunting of lynx takes place in February and March. The County Governor determines the hunting quota hunting of lynx. Anyone who meets the requirements can hunt lynx in areas where quota hunting is in effect.

Shot as nuisance

The authorities grant permits to shoot single animals in order to prevent large carnivores killing or causing damage to livestock or domesticated reindeer.

Classification of registered non-harvest mortality of cervids and large carnivores

Registered mortality of large carnivores

Agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing

Division for Housing, Property, Spatial and Agricultural Statistics

County and administration area

Annual

Data sets are stored at Statistics Norway.

The purpose of the statistics is to provide information on the reduction of large predators and eagles. The act relating to the extermination of predators and protection of other wild game was passed in 1845 and introduced official premium payments for certain species. The persons responsible for making the payments in the individual municipalities submitted reports containing statistics on the predators and nuisance animals for which premiums had been paid. As a rule, this was the local police or chief municipal treasurer. Much has changed since the act was passed in 1845. Today, bears, wolves, wolverines and eagles are protected, and lynx hunting is regulated by quota.

The statistics are compiled for The Norwegian Environment Agency and serve as an important tool in the local and national management of large predators and eagles. Public agencies (ministries, counties, municipalities) and research institutes use the statistics. Other major user groups include professional publications, hunters and animal protection groups.

No external users have access to the statistics and analyses before they are published and accessible simultaneously for all users on ssb.no at 8 am. Prior to this, a minimum of three months' advance notice is given in the Statistics Release Calendar. This is one of Statistics Norway’s key principles for ensuring that all users are treated equally.

Statistics on the registered non-harvest mortality are published at the following website address

The Wildlife Act and The Statistics Act § 2.1

The statistics cover killed and destroyed game reported to municipal wildlife management departments.

The Norwegian Environment Agency and municipal wildlife management departments.

All municipalities and counties.

The statistics are based on reports of reductions of large predators from the Norwegian Environment Agency, and reports of large birds of prey from municipal wildlife management departments.

Regular controls and revisions are carried out on the incoming material. The forms are checked for absolute and possible errors, and errors are corrected during the revision of the forms. Where necessary, the municipal authorities are contacted to clarify cases of doubt.

The number of killed animals is summarised and distributed by municipality.

Breaks in the time series have not occurred since the statistics were started in 1846.

As bears, wolves, wolverines and eagles are protected and lynx hunting is regulated by quota, reductions are easy to check. Although these factors mean reliable reporting, unreported reductions can occur. It can be difficult to determine the sex and age of animals that have been dead for a long time before they are found. In such cases the municipal wildlife management department must use its judgement. In general, all reductions should be reported, but for various reasons this is not always done. The data for birds of prey can be viewed as minimum figures.

Reporting to Statistics Norway is compulsory for all municipalities. Statistics Norway and the county management contact all municipalities that have not forwarded the reports within the time limit. In that way all municipalities are covered.