Black grouse hunting in Agder

Season: Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Black grouse is among the huntable species in Agder. 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.

Season in Agder

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

All hunting seasons

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.

Weight

Greyhen: 700–1000 g, blackcock: 1000–1400 g

Terrain in Agder

Agder stretches from the archipelago in the south to the heath areas in the north. The coastal forests are dominated by oak and pine, while the inland offers vast expanses of heather and bogs. Setesdal Vesthei is one of Norway's most important wild reindeer areas. The heaths in the north are open and easy to survey, while the valleys have dense mixed forest.

Hunting black grouse

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.