Questions & Answers

When is the hunting season?

The hunting season for red deer is from september 1st to december 23rd, inclusive.

What is NOK?

NOK=NOrwegian Krone, which is the currency in Norway.
As of 2012-03-13:
1 € (EURO) = NOK 7.45
1 £ (GBP) = NOK 8.92
1 $ (USD) = NOK 5.71
Current exchange rates (from the web page of Norway's central bank) can be found here.

How does one become a deer hunter (big game hunter)?

To be allowed to hunt for deer you have to:
1. be 18 years old (hunting training allowed from the age of 16)
2. pass the norwegian hunting proficiency test (*)
3. own or borrow a rifle and ammunition which is appropriate for the hunt of big game
4. pay the annual hunting fee
5. pass the annual shooting test (*)
6. have the landowners allowance for the hunt
7. have access to a dog for tracking the shot deer during the hunt

You will have to take care of the first 5 steps and we will provide the last 2.

(*) Note that foregners does not have to pass the norwegian hunting proficiency test or the shooting proficiency test. Instead they will have to document that they satisfy the conditions for engaging in the same type of hunting in their home country (place of residence).

What is the norwegian hunting proficiency test (for Norwegian hunters)?

To become a registered hunter in Norway, one will have to do a theoretical and practical training which all hunters in Norway have to do. The training consists of a 30 hour course which usually is held over 3 weeks (9 meetings), but also intensive courses over a shorter period of time are available. One part of the course is the practical training at the shooting range. The whole training is finished with a written exam, where 40 out of 50 questions have to be answered correctly. Amongst others the training is held by local departments of the Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund (NJFF, available in English) and the costs would amount to approximately NOK 2000. When you have passed the examinations for the hunting license, you will be officially registered as a hunter for lifetime irrespective of hunting actively or not. For more information please visit the homepage of Direktoratet for naturforvaltning (also available in English).

Please note that hunters from other countries than Norway don´t have to do the Norwegian hunting proficiency test. Instead they will have to document that they satisfy the conditions for engaging in the same type of hunting in their home country (place of residence).

What is the hunting license fee?

To be allowed to hunt and catch in Norway you have to pay the annual hunting fee. For the hunting year 2011/2012 (04/01/2011 to 03/31/2012) 380,00 NOK are charged to hunt for moose, deer and wild reindeer. The fee must be paid to the Norwegian Register of Hunters (available in English).

Please note that everybody who wants to hunt with Åkrafjorden Jakt has to have the confirmation of the paid fee with them.

What is the shooting proficiency test for big game hunters?

Every norwegian hunter who wants to hunt for big game (amongst others moose, red deer, fallow deer, wild reindeer and roe deer with rifle) has to do an annual shooting test. For the test the hunter has to do 30 documented training shots (minimum 15 shots during two days). Additionally, 5 shots with hunting ammunition on a fixed deer target from a distance of at least 100 m have to be done. All the shots have to hit the target within an inner circle of 30 cm. For the test you have to use the same rifle as you use during the hunt. The shooting test is arranged by departments of Det Frivillige Skyttervesen and Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund. Usually a fee is charged for the test.

Please note that everybody who wants to hunt with Åkrafjorden Jakt has to have the confirmation of the successfully taken shooting test with them.

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.

Which rifles may be used for red deer hunting?

Only rifles with gunpowder load are permitted. You will find various calibres you can use. Fully automatic rifles are prohibited, but semiautomatic ones with only 3 shots in the magazine and one in the chamber. Only expanding ammunition is permitted. Minimum weight of the bullet is 9 grams with a impact energy at 100 meters of at least 2700 joules. For bullets weighing over 10 grams an impact energy at 100 meters of at least 2200 joule is demanded.
Examples of rifle calibers you could use: 30-06, 6.5x55, .308 Win.

How can foreigners (Europeans) take their own rifles with them to Norway?

The easiest way would be to obtain the European firearms pass. The r egulation on firearms, firearm parts and ammunition (norwegian only) says in §77 that (unofficial translation) “Citizens of foreign countries who stay in the realm within a period of 3 months and who hold a valid European firearms pass can without special permission transport and posess a firearm during travelling in the realm in conjunction with participation in hunting or a shooting competition.” A documentation of the reason for taking the gun with you is required, for example that you want to go hunting with us. Please contact your local police department for further information on how to aquire a European fireams pass.

Where do I find more information about the regulations on firearms in Norway?

This is regulated by the regulation on firearms, firearm parts and ammunition (FOR 2009-06-25 nr 904, norwegian only) which is provided by Lovdata. Note that a new version of this regulation came into effect from 2009-07-01.