Red Deer
About red deer hunting
Red deer hunting on the west coast of Norway takes place in steep hillsides with the fjord below you. The terrain demands good fitness and sure-footed legs. In many areas, hunting is done as driven stand hunting in teams, where hunters are placed at strategic posts while drivers push the animals past.
Stalking red deer during the rut is challenging hunting. The stag roars to mark territory and attract hinds, and the sound carries far in the still autumn air. By approaching carefully toward the sound, you can get within shooting range.
The red deer is a nocturnal animal, so hunting at dawn and dusk is most productive. Many also use stand hunting at feeding areas where deer graze on farmland.
Equipment requirements are the same as for moose: a rifle in an approved caliber, good optics, and solid boots for steep terrain.
Hunting Season
1 Sep – 23 Dec
The long season gives flexibility. September is the rut, with active stags. October and November are the main period for team hunts in many areas.
Weight
Live weight: hind approx. 80–120 kg, stag approx. 120–220 kg. Carcass weight approx. 55% of live weight.
Distribution
Red deer are densest along the west coast, from Rogaland to Møre og Romsdal. In recent decades they have spread strongly east and north, and are now found in most counties.
Terrain
Red deer thrive on steep, wooded hillsides along fjords and valleys. Coastal woodland of oak, hazel and pine is typical red deer country. Further inland they tend to stay in mixed forest with access to farmland.
Identification
Reddish-brown summer coat, grey-brown winter coat. The stag has branched antlers that grow larger with age.
Hunting Tips
Use the rut in September and October. Listen for roaring early in the morning. Red deer move along fixed trails between feeding areas, and these make good stands.
Red Deer hunting by county
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