Black grouse hunting in Nordland

Season: Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Black grouse is among the huntable species in Nordland. 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 Nordland

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 Nordland

Nordland stretches from Helgeland in the south to Lofoten in the north. The county has varied terrain: from the flat bogs of Helgeland to the sharp peaks of Lofoten. Saltfjellet forms a natural boundary between south and north. The tree line is lower than farther south, and birch forest dominates in the mountains.

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.