Wild reindeer hunting, 2006

Still, during the last 30 years, only in the three previous years the number of felled animals was lower than in 2006. In 2005, the quota was 10 200 animals, and 4 800 were felled. The felling percentage was 47, one percentage point more than this year.

Hardangervidda rises again

The Hardangervidda plateau is Norway's largest wild reindeer area. In this area 1 038 animals were felled in 2006, an increase of 278 animals from the year before. The felling quota in 2006 was 3 520 animals. In the previous year the quota was 2 530 animals. Two years ago the wild reindeer in the area was preserved except for one hunting ground. The preservation took place because of the reduced stock of wild reindeer.

Highest felling per cent in Forelhogna

Forelhogna had the highest felling rate this autumn, and 91 per cent of the licensed animals were felled. 300 licenses were issued, and 272 animals were shot. In 2005 the same number of licenses was issued, whereas 264 animals were shot.

Most wild reindeer in Oppland

In Oppland, 2 145 licenses were issued in 2006 and 1 282 animals were felled. In Hordaland and Telemark, respectively 1 661 and 1652 licenses were issued and 326 and 742 wild reindeer were felled.

More reindeer hunters

Statistics on wild reindeer hunters in 2006 are published next year. Figures show that 8 100 hunters hunted wild reindeer in the autumn of 2005, an increase of 1 700 hunters from the year before.

Tables:

• Table 1 Wild reindeer hunting, by counties. 2005-2006*
• Table 2 Wild reindeer hunting. Wild reindeer area, by age and sex. 1996-2006*
• Table 3 Wild reindeer hunting. Licences issued, animals felled and per cent felled. 1952-2006*