Wild reindeer hunting, 2001

A total of 1 930 calves, 1 009 1 ½ years and 4 037 older animals were felled this autumn. The distribution by sex were 49 per cent females and 51 per cent males.

Reduced number of hunting licenses

The number of licenses issued declined with 35 per cent from the previous year. Totally 13 800 licenses were issued, a decline of 7 500 licenses from the autumn 2000. The strong decline in number of hunting licenses is mostly caused by a reduction for Hardangervidda. In this area the number of hunting licenses was reduced from 11 500 older animals the previous autumn to 5 000 older animals this autumn. The main reason was that surveys have showed a reduced stock of wild reindeer. For Hardangervidda every hunting licence permitted included also one calf in addition to the older animal.

But increased felling percentage

The reduction of the number of felled animals has been smaller than the reduction in hunting licenses, and causes an increased felling percentage. In autumn 2001 the felling percentage increased to 50 per cent, against 36 per cent in the previous autumn.

Most animals felled on Hardangervidda

The Hardangervidda plateau is Norway's largest wild reindeer area. Totally 2 144 animals were felled in 2001, and 31 per cent of the wild reindeer were felled here. The reduction in the number of hunting licenses issued raised the felling percentage from 23 in autumn 2000 to 43 in autumn 2001. The reduction of felled animals on Hardangervidda was 20 per cent.

Stable felling percentage in Forelhogna

Among the greater reindeer areas Forelhogna still had the highest felling percentage. This year 89 per cent of the quota was felled. The felling percentage has been stable around 90 per cent in the recent years. Licenses for a total 800 animals were issued, and 710 animals were felled.

Good felling in the area of Ottadalen

The area of Ottadalen had a high felling percentage too. Of a felling quota of 1 604 animals, 1 252 were felled. Regarding the number of hunting licenses, Ottadalen is the second largest wild reindeer area.

Most animals felled in Oppland County

Distributing the wild reindeer felling by county, Oppland is the most important with 1 682 animals felled. Hordaland was second with 981 animals felled. Measured by the number of hunting licenses, Oppland is the largest wild reindeer county with 2 573 permission issued.

Considering municipalities, most wild reindeer were felled in Skjåk in 2001. Totally 542 animals were felled in this municipality, followed by Vinje and Nore og Uvdal with respectively 539 and 519 animals.

Tables:

• Table 1 Wild reindeer hunting, by counties. 2000-2001
• Table 2 Wild reindeer hunting. Wild reindeer area, by age and sex. 1996-2001
• Table 3 Wild reindeer hunting. Licences issued, animals felled and per cent felled. 1952-2001