Black Grouse
About black grouse hunting
Black grouse hunting over a pointing dog in the boreal forest is a classic. The bird tends to sit on the ground on bogs or clearcuts and flushes heavily with a characteristic whoosh. It gives a short shooting window, and you need to react quickly.
In autumn, black grouse can also be hunted from a stand, especially when the birds move into birch canopies to feed on buds. A quiet morning with a touch of frost is ideal.
The black grouse lek in spring is an impressive spectacle, but hunting takes place only in autumn and winter. The male is black with a lyre-shaped tail, while the hen is brown-speckled and hard to spot.
A 12-gauge shotgun with size 3–4 shot is common. The black grouse is tougher than the ptarmigan and needs a bit more hitting energy.
Hunting Season
10 Sep – 28/29 Feb
Weight
Greyhen: 700–1000 g, blackcock: 1000–1400 g
Distribution
The black grouse is found throughout mainland Norway, but is most numerous in the coniferous belt from Agder to Troms. The densest populations are in Trøndelag, Innlandet and the inner parts of Northern Norway.
Terrain
The black grouse thrives in the transition between coniferous forest and mountain birch woodland, often in terrain with bogs, clear-cuts and young forest. Bilberry and birch buds are important food.
Identification
The male is black with a white wing bar and a lyre-shaped tail. The female is mottled brown with dark barring.
Hunting Tips
Look for tracks and droppings on bogs and clear-cuts. Black grouse often stay in the same areas through the season. A well-trained dog makes a big difference.
Black Grouse hunting by county
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