With an area of 385,155 km2, Norway's wide
variety of natural habitats supports an
abundant fauna and offers opportunities for
many different kinds of hunting.
Important species of game
There are good stocks of moose (Alces
alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild
reindeer (Rangifer rangifer) and roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus). The most sought after
gallinaceous birds are willow grouse (Lagopus
lagopus), ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), black
grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), capercaillie (Tetrao
urogallus) and hazel hen (Testrastes bonasis).
Waders, ducks, geese and sea birds are
plentiful in some areas. The hare (Lepus
timitus) is the most popular species of small
game, but beavers (Castor fiber) can also be
hunted in some parts of the country.
Hunting rights
Land in Norway is either state-owned or
private. Landowners have the sole hunting and
trapping rights on their land. State-owned land
is classified either as common land or "other
state-owned land". Common land is a feature
of southern Norway, from Nord-Trøndelag to
the south; other state-owned land is primarily
in northern Norway.
COMMON LAND
All small-game and wild reindeer hunting on
state-owned common land is reserved for
persons who have resided in Norway for the
past year and are still resident. However,
anyone, including non-resident foreign
nationals, may apply for permits to hunt elk, red
deer, roe deer and beaver. The Directorate for
State Forests and Land is responsible for this
hunting and the processing of applications.
Persons who have resided in Norway for the
past year and are still resident have an equal
right to engage in small-game hunting without
a dog. People who are not local residents are
now permitted to engage in both small-game
hunting with a dog and wild reindeer hunting
on many areas of common land. Persons who
have resided for the past year in the
municipality where the common land
concerned is situated, and still reside there,
nevertheless have first priority to such hunting.
Municipal Common Land Boards have
responsibility for small-game and wild reindeer
hunting on common land.
OTHER STATE-OWNED LAND
Norwegians and all persons who have resided
in Norway for the past year and are still
resident are permitted to engage in
small-game hunting and trapping on other
kinds of state-owned land, which are mostly
found in the three northernmost counties.
Foreign nationals not resident in Norway can
apply for permission to hunt small and big
game. The Directorate for State Forests and
Land is responsible for this hunting and the
processing of applications.
PRIVATELY-OWNED LAND
Owners of private land may, individually or
jointly, let their hunting rights to others,
including foreign nationals. The best access to
small-game hunting on private land is normally
in areas where the sale of hunting permits has
been organised through landowners'
associations or local hunting and fishing
societies. Hunting rights for small game in a given
area can be hired out exclusively for longer or
shorter periods, but this is more expensive
than the ordinary sale of hunting permits.
LAND BORDERING ON BODIES OF WATER
On rivers and lakes, the hunting and trapping
rights of a landowner extend as far as his or
her property rights. Bordering on the sea or a
fjord, they extend to the limit of dry land.
Norwegians and all persons who have resided
in Norway for the past year and are still resident
are permitted to engage in hunting, trapping
and shooting beyond this limit, and generally
also on shoals and skerries submerged at
normal high tide. The Governor of the
respective county may in individual cases
give foreign nationals not resident in Norway
permission to engage in such hunting.
Conditions for hunting in Norway
HUNTING PROFICIENCY TEST
All persons aged 16 or over who are not listed
on the Norwegian Register of Hunters
must pass a hunting proficiency test before
hunting or trapping. Persons resident abroad
need not take the test provided they satisfy the
conditions for engaging in the same type of
hunting in their home country (place of
residence). Further information regarding the
hunting proficiency test may be obtained from
the Directorate for Nature Management or the
relevant local or district authorities.
AGE LIMITS
Applicants may take the hunting proficiency
test from their 14th birthday.
The minimum age for small-game hunting is 16;
for larger game, 18, and for trapping, 16 (except
lynx trapping, for which the age limit is 18).
HUNTING LICENCE FEE
Persons intending to hunt in Norway must pay a
hunting licence fee to the Wildlife Fund. The fee
is for the full hunting year, from 1 April to 31
March. Payment of the fee is a prerequisite for
hunting, but does not confer the right to hunt in
any specific area. Foreign nationals resident
abroad can obtain a Norwegian hunting licence
by sending documentation of their previous
hunting experience to the Norwegian Register
of Hunters at Brønnøysund. Foreign nationals
who have hunted previously can document this
by means of permits, licences or the like. This
documentation should be sent to the Register
of Hunters in good time before the date on
which they intend to start hunting.
HUNTING PERMIT
No hunting is allowed without the landowner’s
permission. Landowners are entitled to
demand payment for the right to hunt, either by
selling permits, or by letting the land.
Importing firearms
To obtain permission to bring firearms into
Norway, a foreign national must on entry show
the Customs authorities the gun licence
required in his home country. At the same time,
he or she must fill in a prescribed customs
declaration form, stating their name and
address, age if under 21, the type, calibre,
trade mark and number of the firearm, the
quantity and type of ammunition, what the
firearm is to be used for and where in Norway it
is to be used. The declaration is certified by the
Customs authorities and is then valid as a gun
licence for a period of three months.
Rules relating to arms and ammunition
In ordinary circumstances only rifles or
gunpowder-loaded shotguns may be used
for hunting. The use of pistols, revolvers,
semi-automatic military-style weapons and
automatic firearms is not permitted in hunting.
BIG-GAME HUNTING
For hunting moose, red deer, follow deer, wild
reindeer, wild sheep, musk ox and wolf, only
rifles are permitted. This also applies male roe
deer between 10 August and 25 September.
For moose, red deer and roe deer, it is
forbidden to use a semi-automatic rifle with
more than three cartridges in the magazine
and one in the chamber. For other species of
game, use of a semi-automatic rifle with more
than two cartridges in the magazine and one in
the chamber is prohibited.
For moose, red deer, follow deer, wild reindeer,
wild boar, wild sheep, musk ox, wolf and bear,
ammunition with expanding bullets weighing a
minimum 9 grams is required.
a) ammunition whose bullets weigh between 9
and 10 grams (139 and 154 grains) must have
an impact energy of at least 2700 joules (275
kg/m) at a range of 100 metres, E100.
b) ammunition whose bullets weigh more than
10 grams (154 grains or more) must have an
impact energy of at least 2200 joules (225
kg/m) at a range of 100 metres, E100.
When hunting roe deer, beaver, wolverine and
lynx with a rifle, expanding bullets with an
impact energy of at least 980 joules (100 kg/m)
at a range of 100 metres, E100, must be used.
SMALL-GAME HUNTING
Only shotguns with up to two cartridges, and
rifles, are allowed. Saloon rifles using .22
calibre long-rifle bullets must only be used for
hunting small game up to the size of hares,
but not for hares.
The use of lead shot is not permitted for geese,
ducks and waders (except woodcock). Slugs
are permitted for hunting wild boar and roe deer.
From 1 January 2005 the use of lead shot in
hunting is prohibited.
Dogs
IMPORTING DOGS FROM ABROAD
Persons resident in Sweden and legally visiting
Norway can freely bring dogs into the country.
Persons resident in other countries must
present health and vaccination certificates duly
filled in and signed by an authorised veterinary
surgeon. The certificates must be forms drawn
up or approved by the Norwegian Animal
Health Inspectorate - Central Administration.
Further information may be obtained from the
Norwegian Animal Health Inspectorate or the
Ministry of Agriculture.
USE OF DOGS IN DEER-HUNTING
For moose, red deer and roe deer, both hunting
parties and individuals hunting alone are
required to have a trained dog available to
locate animals that have been shot, but not
found. If such a dog is not present while the
hunting is in progress, written agreement must
be obtained ensuring the availability of such a
dog within a reasonable time after the quarry
has fallen. The local authority may require
documentation showing compliance with these
conditions.
Shooting proficiency test
No one is allowed to hunt big game with a rifle
without passing a shooting proficiency test for
that hunting season. Big game is here defined
as moose, red deer, follow deer, wild reindeer,
roe deer, wild sheep, musk ox, bear, wolf,
wolverine and lynx.
The test comprises two parts. First, 30 shots
must be fired at a target of the applicant's
choice. Then, for each rifle to be used for
hunting big game, five shots must be fired at an
animal figure approved by the directorate. For
combined firearms (rifle-shotgun), triple-barrelled
guns and double-barrelled rifles, three shots
must be fired at the animal figure approved by
the directorate. All shots fired at the animal
figure must land within the approved area.
Achievement of the silver medal in moose
shooting (awarded by the Norwegian
Association of Hunters and Anglers)
is recognised as a shooting proficiency test
providing the directorate has approved the
shooting programme.
The test must be taken without a fixed rest, but
any position may be adopted.
Foreign residents are exempt from the shooting
proficiency test provided they satisfy the
requirements for big-game hunting in their
country of residence. Documentary proof to
that effect must be shown on demand to police,
game wardens and other supervisory authorities.
General regulations
Hunting from motorboats or other motor-
propelled vessels is not permitted less than
2 km from the nearest shore, island or islet. This
applies both at sea and on lakes. It is forbidden
to use aircraft or motor vehicles in pursuit of
game, or to distract its attention from hunters.
Motorised transport to and from the hunting
ground is permitted to a certain extent.
The use of artificial light during hunting is
forbidden, except for fox hunting with bait
provided the light source is permanently fixed
to the wall of a building.
Open season
The landowner, the municipal Common Land
Board, the County Governor, or the municipal
authority can provide information regarding
open seasons and opportunities for hunting.
A landowner may set a shorter open season
on his or her land than the authorities have
stipulated.
Inquiries relating to various
aspects of hunting in Norway
may be directed to the follo-
wing addresses:
Laws, regulations, hunting
proficiency test, open seasons,
permission to shoot by the sea
and fjords:
Directorate for
Nature Management
N-7485 Trondheim
Tel.:
+47 73 58 05 00
Telefax: +47 73 58 05 01
www.dirnat.no
postmottak@dirnat.no
Permission to hunt on
state-owned land, local
open seasons:
Directorate for State Forests
and Land, Serviceboks 1016
N-7809 Namsos
Tlf.:
+47 74 21 30 00
Telefaks: +47 74 21 30 01
www.statskog.no
statskog@statskog.no
Norges Fjellstyresamband
Stortingsgt. 30, 0161 Oslo
Tel.:
+47 22 83 15 35
Telefax: +47 22 83 40 41
www.fjellstyrene.no
nfs@fjellstyrene.no
Permission to hunt
on private land:
Norwegian Forest
Owners’ Federation,
Pb. 1438, Vika, 0115 Oslo
Tlf.:
+47 22 01 05 50
Telefaks: +47 22 83 40 47
www.skog.no, nsf@skog.no
Hunting in Norway in general:
Norwegian Association of
Hunters and Anglers
Pb. 94, 1378 Nesbru
Tlf.:
+47 66 79 22 00
Telefaks: +47 66 90 15 87
www.njff.no, njff@njff.org
Register of hunters,
hunting licence:
The Norwegian Register
of Hunters
Pb. 398, 8901 Brønnøysund
Tlf.:
+47 75 00 79 99
Telefaks: +47 75 00 79 50
www.brreg.no/registrene/jeger
Jegerregisteret@brreg.no
variety of natural habitats supports an
abundant fauna and offers opportunities for
many different kinds of hunting.
Important species of game
There are good stocks of moose (Alces
alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild
reindeer (Rangifer rangifer) and roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus). The most sought after
gallinaceous birds are willow grouse (Lagopus
lagopus), ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), black
grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), capercaillie (Tetrao
urogallus) and hazel hen (Testrastes bonasis).
Waders, ducks, geese and sea birds are
plentiful in some areas. The hare (Lepus
timitus) is the most popular species of small
game, but beavers (Castor fiber) can also be
hunted in some parts of the country.
Hunting rights
Land in Norway is either state-owned or
private. Landowners have the sole hunting and
trapping rights on their land. State-owned land
is classified either as common land or "other
state-owned land". Common land is a feature
of southern Norway, from Nord-Trøndelag to
the south; other state-owned land is primarily
in northern Norway.
COMMON LAND
All small-game and wild reindeer hunting on
state-owned common land is reserved for
persons who have resided in Norway for the
past year and are still resident. However,
anyone, including non-resident foreign
nationals, may apply for permits to hunt elk, red
deer, roe deer and beaver. The Directorate for
State Forests and Land is responsible for this
hunting and the processing of applications.
Persons who have resided in Norway for the
past year and are still resident have an equal
right to engage in small-game hunting without
a dog. People who are not local residents are
now permitted to engage in both small-game
hunting with a dog and wild reindeer hunting
on many areas of common land. Persons who
have resided for the past year in the
municipality where the common land
concerned is situated, and still reside there,
nevertheless have first priority to such hunting.
Municipal Common Land Boards have
responsibility for small-game and wild reindeer
hunting on common land.
OTHER STATE-OWNED LAND
Norwegians and all persons who have resided
in Norway for the past year and are still
resident are permitted to engage in
small-game hunting and trapping on other
kinds of state-owned land, which are mostly
found in the three northernmost counties.
Foreign nationals not resident in Norway can
apply for permission to hunt small and big
game. The Directorate for State Forests and
Land is responsible for this hunting and the
processing of applications.
PRIVATELY-OWNED LAND
Owners of private land may, individually or
jointly, let their hunting rights to others,
including foreign nationals. The best access to
small-game hunting on private land is normally
in areas where the sale of hunting permits has
been organised through landowners'
associations or local hunting and fishing
societies. Hunting rights for small game in a given
area can be hired out exclusively for longer or
shorter periods, but this is more expensive
than the ordinary sale of hunting permits.
LAND BORDERING ON BODIES OF WATER
On rivers and lakes, the hunting and trapping
rights of a landowner extend as far as his or
her property rights. Bordering on the sea or a
fjord, they extend to the limit of dry land.
Norwegians and all persons who have resided
in Norway for the past year and are still resident
are permitted to engage in hunting, trapping
and shooting beyond this limit, and generally
also on shoals and skerries submerged at
normal high tide. The Governor of the
respective county may in individual cases
give foreign nationals not resident in Norway
permission to engage in such hunting.
Conditions for hunting in Norway
HUNTING PROFICIENCY TEST
All persons aged 16 or over who are not listed
on the Norwegian Register of Hunters
must pass a hunting proficiency test before
hunting or trapping. Persons resident abroad
need not take the test provided they satisfy the
conditions for engaging in the same type of
hunting in their home country (place of
residence). Further information regarding the
hunting proficiency test may be obtained from
the Directorate for Nature Management or the
relevant local or district authorities.
AGE LIMITS
Applicants may take the hunting proficiency
test from their 14th birthday.
The minimum age for small-game hunting is 16;
for larger game, 18, and for trapping, 16 (except
lynx trapping, for which the age limit is 18).
HUNTING LICENCE FEE
Persons intending to hunt in Norway must pay a
hunting licence fee to the Wildlife Fund. The fee
is for the full hunting year, from 1 April to 31
March. Payment of the fee is a prerequisite for
hunting, but does not confer the right to hunt in
any specific area. Foreign nationals resident
abroad can obtain a Norwegian hunting licence
by sending documentation of their previous
hunting experience to the Norwegian Register
of Hunters at Brønnøysund. Foreign nationals
who have hunted previously can document this
by means of permits, licences or the like. This
documentation should be sent to the Register
of Hunters in good time before the date on
which they intend to start hunting.
HUNTING PERMIT
No hunting is allowed without the landowner’s
permission. Landowners are entitled to
demand payment for the right to hunt, either by
selling permits, or by letting the land.
Importing firearms
To obtain permission to bring firearms into
Norway, a foreign national must on entry show
the Customs authorities the gun licence
required in his home country. At the same time,
he or she must fill in a prescribed customs
declaration form, stating their name and
address, age if under 21, the type, calibre,
trade mark and number of the firearm, the
quantity and type of ammunition, what the
firearm is to be used for and where in Norway it
is to be used. The declaration is certified by the
Customs authorities and is then valid as a gun
licence for a period of three months.
Rules relating to arms and ammunition
In ordinary circumstances only rifles or
gunpowder-loaded shotguns may be used
for hunting. The use of pistols, revolvers,
semi-automatic military-style weapons and
automatic firearms is not permitted in hunting.
BIG-GAME HUNTING
For hunting moose, red deer, follow deer, wild
reindeer, wild sheep, musk ox and wolf, only
rifles are permitted. This also applies male roe
deer between 10 August and 25 September.
For moose, red deer and roe deer, it is
forbidden to use a semi-automatic rifle with
more than three cartridges in the magazine
and one in the chamber. For other species of
game, use of a semi-automatic rifle with more
than two cartridges in the magazine and one in
the chamber is prohibited.
For moose, red deer, follow deer, wild reindeer,
wild boar, wild sheep, musk ox, wolf and bear,
ammunition with expanding bullets weighing a
minimum 9 grams is required.
a) ammunition whose bullets weigh between 9
and 10 grams (139 and 154 grains) must have
an impact energy of at least 2700 joules (275
kg/m) at a range of 100 metres, E100.
b) ammunition whose bullets weigh more than
10 grams (154 grains or more) must have an
impact energy of at least 2200 joules (225
kg/m) at a range of 100 metres, E100.
When hunting roe deer, beaver, wolverine and
lynx with a rifle, expanding bullets with an
impact energy of at least 980 joules (100 kg/m)
at a range of 100 metres, E100, must be used.
SMALL-GAME HUNTING
Only shotguns with up to two cartridges, and
rifles, are allowed. Saloon rifles using .22
calibre long-rifle bullets must only be used for
hunting small game up to the size of hares,
but not for hares.
The use of lead shot is not permitted for geese,
ducks and waders (except woodcock). Slugs
are permitted for hunting wild boar and roe deer.
From 1 January 2005 the use of lead shot in
hunting is prohibited.
Dogs
IMPORTING DOGS FROM ABROAD
Persons resident in Sweden and legally visiting
Norway can freely bring dogs into the country.
Persons resident in other countries must
present health and vaccination certificates duly
filled in and signed by an authorised veterinary
surgeon. The certificates must be forms drawn
up or approved by the Norwegian Animal
Health Inspectorate - Central Administration.
Further information may be obtained from the
Norwegian Animal Health Inspectorate or the
Ministry of Agriculture.
USE OF DOGS IN DEER-HUNTING
For moose, red deer and roe deer, both hunting
parties and individuals hunting alone are
required to have a trained dog available to
locate animals that have been shot, but not
found. If such a dog is not present while the
hunting is in progress, written agreement must
be obtained ensuring the availability of such a
dog within a reasonable time after the quarry
has fallen. The local authority may require
documentation showing compliance with these
conditions.
Shooting proficiency test
No one is allowed to hunt big game with a rifle
without passing a shooting proficiency test for
that hunting season. Big game is here defined
as moose, red deer, follow deer, wild reindeer,
roe deer, wild sheep, musk ox, bear, wolf,
wolverine and lynx.
The test comprises two parts. First, 30 shots
must be fired at a target of the applicant's
choice. Then, for each rifle to be used for
hunting big game, five shots must be fired at an
animal figure approved by the directorate. For
combined firearms (rifle-shotgun), triple-barrelled
guns and double-barrelled rifles, three shots
must be fired at the animal figure approved by
the directorate. All shots fired at the animal
figure must land within the approved area.
Achievement of the silver medal in moose
shooting (awarded by the Norwegian
Association of Hunters and Anglers)
is recognised as a shooting proficiency test
providing the directorate has approved the
shooting programme.
The test must be taken without a fixed rest, but
any position may be adopted.
Foreign residents are exempt from the shooting
proficiency test provided they satisfy the
requirements for big-game hunting in their
country of residence. Documentary proof to
that effect must be shown on demand to police,
game wardens and other supervisory authorities.
General regulations
Hunting from motorboats or other motor-
propelled vessels is not permitted less than
2 km from the nearest shore, island or islet. This
applies both at sea and on lakes. It is forbidden
to use aircraft or motor vehicles in pursuit of
game, or to distract its attention from hunters.
Motorised transport to and from the hunting
ground is permitted to a certain extent.
The use of artificial light during hunting is
forbidden, except for fox hunting with bait
provided the light source is permanently fixed
to the wall of a building.
Open season
The landowner, the municipal Common Land
Board, the County Governor, or the municipal
authority can provide information regarding
open seasons and opportunities for hunting.
A landowner may set a shorter open season
on his or her land than the authorities have
stipulated.
Inquiries relating to various
aspects of hunting in Norway
may be directed to the follo-
wing addresses:
Laws, regulations, hunting
proficiency test, open seasons,
permission to shoot by the sea
and fjords:
Directorate for
Nature Management
N-7485 Trondheim
Tel.:
+47 73 58 05 00
Telefax: +47 73 58 05 01
www.dirnat.no
postmottak@dirnat.no
Permission to hunt on
state-owned land, local
open seasons:
Directorate for State Forests
and Land, Serviceboks 1016
N-7809 Namsos
Tlf.:
+47 74 21 30 00
Telefaks: +47 74 21 30 01
www.statskog.no
statskog@statskog.no
Norges Fjellstyresamband
Stortingsgt. 30, 0161 Oslo
Tel.:
+47 22 83 15 35
Telefax: +47 22 83 40 41
www.fjellstyrene.no
nfs@fjellstyrene.no
Permission to hunt
on private land:
Norwegian Forest
Owners’ Federation,
Pb. 1438, Vika, 0115 Oslo
Tlf.:
+47 22 01 05 50
Telefaks: +47 22 83 40 47
www.skog.no, nsf@skog.no
Hunting in Norway in general:
Norwegian Association of
Hunters and Anglers
Pb. 94, 1378 Nesbru
Tlf.:
+47 66 79 22 00
Telefaks: +47 66 90 15 87
www.njff.no, njff@njff.org
Register of hunters,
hunting licence:
The Norwegian Register
of Hunters
Pb. 398, 8901 Brønnøysund
Tlf.:
+47 75 00 79 99
Telefaks: +47 75 00 79 50
www.brreg.no/registrene/jeger
Jegerregisteret@brreg.no