Hunting in Norge
Complete hunting guide for Norway with terrain, regulations, hunting seasons, and the hunter's exam.
Norway has enormous wilderness areas and a hunting tradition stretching back thousands of years. Over 320,000 registered hunters are distributed across approximately 385,000 km², and the opportunities range from big game to small game, coast to mountain.
Hunting is regulated through the Wildlife Act (viltloven) and the Hunting Season Regulations (jakttidsforskriften), which establish huntable species and hunting seasons. The Right to Roam (allemannsretten) gives everyone the right to travel in the wilderness, but hunting rights are tied to the landowner. Most people hunt on private land through hunting parties or by purchasing hunting permits.
The country has a broad range of game: moose, red deer, and wild reindeer among big game; ptarmigan, hare, and forest grouse among small game. Along the coast there is good seabird hunting and goose hunting, while the inland offers everything from rock ptarmigan on the plateau to red deer hunting in the steep western fjords.
To hunt in Norway you must have passed the hunter's exam (jegerprøven), paid the hunting fee (jegeravgift), and have a valid hunting permit for the specific area. Foreign hunters can hunt if they meet the requirements in their home country and pay the Norwegian hunting fee.
Detailed information about Norwegian hunting can be found in the subsections for terrain, regulations, hunting seasons, and the hunter's exam.
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Requirements for foreign hunters
Foreign hunters can hunt in Norway but must meet several requirements. You must document a passed hunter's exam or equivalent hunting education from your home country. You must also pay the Norwegian hunting fee (jegeravgift), which grants the right to hunt throughout the country.
For big game hunting (moose, red deer, roe deer, wild reindeer) you must pass a big game shooting test in Norway or document an equivalent test from your home country. The shooting test must be completed in the current hunting year.
Firearms import requires a firearms permit from the police. Apply well in advance of arrival. EU/EEA citizens can use a European Firearms Pass but must still notify Norwegian police. Hunters from countries outside the EU/EEA need a separate import permit.
You need a hunting permit for the specific area, either through a hunting party, a landowner, or via Jegerhub. For state-owned land you can purchase hunting permits from Statskog.
Norwegian hunting insurance is not required but is recommended. Many landowners require that you have liability insurance covering hunting accidents.
Contact the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet) or a local hunting and fishing association for further guidance.