Black grouse hunting in Viken

Season: Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Black grouse is among the huntable species in Viken. 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 Viken

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 Viken

Viken surrounds Oslo and stretches from the Oslo Fjord to the Swedish border. Østfold in the south has agricultural landscape and coastal forest. Akershus has suburban forests with surprisingly good hunting. Buskerud in the west has everything from cultural landscape to mountain forest and Hallingskarvet. Varied terrain provides many hunting opportunities.

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.

Plan the hunt

Black Grouse handbook

Species facts, behaviour and identification.

Hunting in Viken

County terrain, species and statistics.

Game reception stations

Where to deliver and process game.

What is the hunting worth?

Estimate the value of hunting on your ground.

Other game in Viken

Red deer hunting

Sep 1 – Dec 23 (expanding population)

Moose hunting

Sep 25 – Oct 31

Roe deer hunting

Aug 10 – Dec 23 (bucks from Aug 10, all from Sep 25)

Willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan hunting

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29 (Hallingdal/mountain areas)

Wild reindeer hunting

Aug 20 – Sep 30 (Hallingskarvet/Norefjell)

Western capercaillie hunting

Sep 10 – Dec 23

Mountain hare hunting

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Greylag goose hunting

Aug 10 – Dec 23

Red fox hunting

Jul 15 – Apr 15

Black grouse hunting in other counties

Agder

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Innlandet

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Møre og Romsdal

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Nordland

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Rogaland

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Troms og Finnmark

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Trøndelag

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Vestfold og Telemark

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Vestland

Sep 10 – Feb 28/29

Frequently asked questions

When is the black grouse hunting season in Viken?

The season for black grouse in Viken is Sep 10 – Feb 28/29. Local regulations can shorten or extend this.

Where does black grouse live in Viken?

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.

Can I find grounds to hunt black grouse in Viken?

Yes. Landowners across Viken offer hunts on Hunta. Create a free account to browse available grounds.

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