Wild reindeer hunting, 2012

The last low harvest percentage was in the hunting year 2000, when it was 36. One main reason for the record low harvest percentage in 2012 is the low hunting success at Hardangervidda reindeer area. Due to bad weather conditions, the reindeer crowded in a small part of the area for a long time, and only 20 per cent of the quota were shot.

The distribution of age and sex of the harvested animals has remained unchanged in recent years. A total of 1 486 calves, 895 1½-years, 1 348 older males and 1 722 older females were shot this autumn.

Decline on Hardangervidda

The Hardangervidda plateau is Norway's largest wild reindeer area . This autumn, permissions to shoot 6 020 animals in this area were given, but only 1 109 animals were shot. In the hunting year 2011, permissions were given to shoot 5 020 animals, while 1 388 were shot. The hunting success rate fell from 28 per cent in 2011 to 20 per cent in 2012.

More reindeer shot in Setesdal - Austhei

In Setesdal - Austhei, 649 animals were shot; an increase of 264 animals from the year before. The harvest percentage was 27. Only small changes in harvest figures were recorded in the remaining wild reindeer areas.

More reindeer hunters

Statistics on wild reindeer hunters in 2012 will be published next year. However, 8 340 hunters hunted wild reindeer in the autumn of 2011; an increase of 40 from the year before.

Tables:

• Table 1 Wild reindeer felled, by age, sex and wild reindeer area. 1996-2012
• Table 2 Wild reindeer hunting. Licences issued, animals felled and per cent felled. 1952-2012