Moose hunting, 2006, preliminary figures

The Norwegian moose stocks grew considerably from the early 1970's. The hunting yield increased from 6 200 animals in 1972 to 39 400 in the record year 1999. For the time being both the moose stocks and the moose yield is decreasing, particularly in the south of Norway.

A felling quota of 44 460 moose was allocated for the hunting in 2006, of which 79 per cent were felled. In 2005 the felling quota was 45 100, of which 80 per cent were felled. The felling ratio shows how many animals are shot as a percentage of the number of permits issued. From 1992 the felling ratio has fallen gradually from 89 per cent.

Most moose felled in Hedmark

21 per cent of all moose shot in Norway in the autumn 2006 were felled in the county of Hedmark. Regarding the number of hunting licenses and number of animals felled, Hedmark is the largest "moose county". 7 962 hunting licenses were issued, and 7 284 animals were felled, resulting in a felling ratio of 91. In the counties of Nord-Trøndelag and Telemark 5 039 and 3 025 moose were felled respectively.

Trysil on top

In 2006, Trysil was the municipality where most moose were felled. Of a felling quota of 1 083 moose, 1 082 were shot. Steinkjer and Stor-Elvdal were next in the line with 770 and 664 felled moose respectively.

Increase in Finnmark

In the last years the yield has increased in Finnmark as a result of increasing number of moose in the north of Norway. From 1993 the number of moose felled has increased from 298 to 755.

Number of moose hunters

Among the cervid species, moose is the most common for hunting. A total of 57 400 hunters took part in moose hunting during the autumn of 2005.

Tables:

• Table 1 Moose hunting, by county. 2005-2006*
• Table 2 Moose hunting, by year, county, age and sex