Hunting Seasons in Norway: Complete Calendar for 2025/2026
Hunting Seasons in Norway: Complete Calendar for 2025/2026
Planning starts long before the first shot. I notice it myself every year — that itch that kicks in as early as July. But being eager counts for little if you don't know when the various seasons actually open. So here's everything in one place.
Big-Game Hunting
Moose
Moose season opens on 25 September and runs through 23 December in most municipalities. In Nord-Norge, some municipalities open as early as 1 September. Quotas vary enormously between municipalities, and you'll need a harvest permit through your hunting unit (jaktfelt) or landowner association (grunneierlag). Most outfits require a passed shooting test and attendance at pre-season practice, so check with your group well in advance.
Red Deer
Red deer season follows roughly the same timeline: 1 September through 23 December, depending on the municipality. On Vestlandet, where populations are largest, many hunters head out in September. More red deer are now harvested than moose in several municipalities — which says a lot about how much this form of hunting has grown.
Wild Reindeer
The wild reindeer (villrein) season is short and intense: 20 August to 30 September. You hunt on the high plateau, often in miserable weather, and your body needs to be up to it. Quotas are allocated by the villreinnemnder (reindeer management boards). Apply through your villreinlag or directly to the nemnda.
Roe Deer
Buck hunting opens 10 August and runs through 23 December. Hunting roe deer of both sexes starts 25 September, also through 23 December. Roe deer hunting is a good entry point for newer hunters. You can do it solo or in small groups, without the organisational apparatus that big-game associations require.
Small-Game Hunting
Ptarmigan and Forest Birds
Ptarmigan (rype) season opens 10 September and runs through the end of February. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark it opens as early as 1 September. Forest birds (capercaillie and black grouse) have a season from 10 September through 23 December.
Hunting ptarmigan with dogs across the vidda. For many of us, that's the whole reason we hunt.
Hare
Hare season opens 10 September and runs through the end of February. Combine it with ptarmigan hunting in the mountains and you're killing two birds with one stone — or two species in one trip, if you prefer.
Beaver
Beaver season runs from 1 October through 30 April. Many hunters overlook this one, but beaver populations have grown strongly over the past few decades. Municipalities actively encourage management, and there are plenty of opportunities for those willing to get to grips with it.
Waterfowl and Seabirds
Hunting for ducks, geese and seabirds opens on 21 August for several species. Some species open on 10 September. The season runs through 23 December for most, but greylag goose (grågås) often has an extended season in agricultural areas where it damages crops. Rules vary considerably by locality, so check the regulations for your specific area.
Seal Hunting
Coastal seals (common seal and grey seal) may be hunted from 2 January through 30 April and from 1 August through 30 September. You need a permit from the Fiskeridirektoratet (Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries), and the requirements for firearms and ammunition are strict. Seal hunting is most widespread along the coast of Nord-Norge and Midt-Norge, and it is quite different from most other hunting you'll do as a hunter.
Practical Tips Before the Season
The shooting test (skyteprøven) opens on 1 April. Take it early. Many ranges are pushed beyond capacity as autumn approaches, and you don't need that stress.
The hunting fee (jegeravgiften) for 2025/2026 is paid via Jegerregisteret at Brønnøysundregistrene. Take care of it before you start hunting.
Zero your rifle well in advance. Don't wait until the week before the season. Ranges will likely be full by then anyway, and you need enough cartridges to practise properly.
Train your fitness if you're heading into the mountains. Villrein and ptarmigan hunting means long days with a heavy pack in tough terrain. Your body will thank you.
Check local regulations. Some municipalities have shorter seasons or their own restrictions. The Statsforvalteren (county governor) or your municipality will have up-to-date information.
Join Hunta
Keeping track of hunting seasons, quota applications and all the practicalities can quickly become chaotic. We're building Hunta to bring everything together in one place: a hunting calendar, maps, and a community of Norwegian hunters. Visit the knowledge centre for more on hunting regulations and wildlife management. Register for free at jegerhub.no, or find hunting ground in your county.