Black grouse hunting in Trøndelag

Season: Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Black grouse is among the huntable species in Trøndelag. 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 Trøndelag

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 Trøndelag

Trøndelag has Norway's most productive hunting terrain in Namdal and the Snåsa area. Broad valleys with spruce forest provide good conditions for moose and forest grouse. The mountain areas in the east border Sweden and offer ptarmigan hunting. The Trondheim Fjord gives mild winters in the lowlands, while the inland is more continental.

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.