Small game and roe deer hunting, 2014/2015

In total, 140 000 willow grouse and 82 000 ptarmigan were shot, representing an increase of 40 and 60 per cent respectively. The yield increased 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 year 1999/2000 to 120 000 in the hunting year 2012/2013, which was a record low. The reason for this huge decline can be attributed to several factors. In the last two hunting years, the grouse bag has, however, increased.

Largest increase in Nordland

A total of 36 000 grouse were harvested in the county of Nordland in the hunting year 2014/2015, which is 86 per cent more than in the previous hunting year. Most grouse were shot in Troms, where 38 000 were harvested. In total, 29 000 grouse were harvested in Finnmark; an increase of 30 per cent. In earlier years, Finnmark had the highest number of grouse harvested, and in the hunting year 2005/2006 more than 100 000 grouse were shot in that county.

More woodland birds shot

A total of 9 000 capercaillie and 20 000 black grouse were shot in 2014/2015. The yield of capercaillie increased by 24 per cent, while the harvest of black grouse rose by 38 per cent.

Small increase for roe deer

In total, 26 600 roe deer were shot; an increase of 900 animals from the previous hunting year.

40 000 wood pigeons shot

Wood pigeon is one of the most frequently harvested small game species in Norway. In total, 40 000 wood pigeons were shot last hunting year. In each of the counties of Akershus and Hedmark approximately 7 500 were shot.

15 200 mallards harvested

In 20014/2015, a total of 15 200 mallards and 9 100 common eider were harvested.

In total, 16 100 greylag geese, 3 000 Canada geese and 1 800 pink-footed geese were shot in 2014/2015.