Beaver
About beaver hunting
Beaver hunting is quiet, patient work. You sit on a stand by the river at dusk, waiting for the beaver to emerge from its lodge to feed. You need to remain still for extended periods and be ready when the opportunity presents itself.
The beaver is most active at dusk and during the night. The best stand locations are near fresh gnawing sites where the beaver has recently felled trees. Beaver sign is easy to find along waterways.
A small-caliber rifle (.22 LR, .222 Rem) provides the best control. The beaver sinks quickly when shot in the water, so have a plan for retrieval.
Beaver pelts are valuable, and beaver tails are a delicacy. The meat is dark and flavorful.
Hunting Season
1 Oct – 30 Apr
Weight
Live weight: 15–30 kg. Carcass weight approx. 55%.
Distribution
The beaver is found in watercourses across all of Southern Norway and parts of Northern Norway. The densest populations are in Telemark, Agder, Innlandet and Trøndelag.
Terrain
Rivers, streams and lakes with deciduous woodland along the banks. The beaver builds dams and lodges from branches and mud, and fells trees to reach bark and buds.
Identification
Dense brown fur with a broad, flat, scaly tail. A large rodent with powerful incisors.
Hunting Tips
Find fresh gnawing sites and take a stand well before sunset. Beavers follow fixed routes between the lodge and their feeding sites.
Beaver hunting by county
Find grounds for beaver hunting
Create a free account and find hunting grounds where you can hunt beaver.
