Wild reindeer hunting, 2004

The Hardangervidda plateau is Norway's largest wild reindeer area. In this area the felling quota has been considerably reduced during the last years. The autumn 2003 only 1 000 felling licenses were issued by the management authorities, but many of the landowners wanted to preserve the wild reindeer and therefore stopped the hunt. Not more than 133 animals were felled. Except for one hunting ground, the wild reindeer was preserved on Hardangervidda this autumn.

Most animals felled in Rondane

Measured by the number of hunting licenses as well as the number of felled animals, Rondane is the largest wild reindeer area. About 1 500 licenses were issued, and 928 animals were felled.

Improvement in Snøhetta

This reindeer area is divided into two parts. Previous autumn the wild reindeer on the eastern part was preserved because surveys have showed a reduced stock of animals. This autumn the landowners allowed hunting on the entire area. More than 50 per cent of the quota was felled on each of the areas. Totally, 372 animals were felled in Snøhetta this autumn, which were 182 more than in the previous autumn.

Continued high felling rate in Forelhogna

Among the larger reindeer areas Forelhogna still had the highest felling rate. A total of 363 animals were felled, 91 per cent of the quota. This felling percentage has been stable at about 90 per cent in recent years.

Tables:

• Table 1 Wild reindeer hunting, by county. 2003 and 2004
• Table 2 Wild reindeer hunting. Wild reindeer area, by age and sex. 1996-2004
• Table 3 Wild reindeer hunting. Licences issued, animals felled and per cent felled. 1952-2004