Glossary

46 hunting terms explained.

Antler Cycle: The annual process where male deer shed and regrow their antlers. Moose shed in January to February, red deer in March to April.
Approved Tracking Dog: A dog that has passed a practical tracking test and is registered in the Hunter Registry. Required for all big game hunting.
Ballistic Drop Table: Table showing correction for bullet drop at various distances. Used to adjust rifle scopes.; → vapen
Bay/Stand: When a loose-running dog holds the game in place by barking without chasing further. A sign of a well-trained moose dog.; → jakt-med-loshund
Bullet Stop: A shooting range element that catches bullets. Also refers to the natural backdrop behind the target during hunting. Always know what is behind your target.
Calving Period: The period when female animals give birth to calves. For moose and red deer this is May to June. Disturbance should be avoided.
Cervid Management Region: Geographic division for the management of cervids. Norway is divided into regions with their own population targets.
Cultivated Land: Farmland, gardens, and farmyards. Normally prohibited to hunt on cultivated land without the landowner's special permission.
CWD/Chronic Wasting Disease: Chronic Wasting Disease, a prion disease in cervids. First detected in Norway in 2016 (wild reindeer in Nordfjella). Follow sampling procedures when harvesting.
Decoys: Artificial bird figures used to lure live birds within shooting range. Common in goose and duck hunting.; → gasejakt
Dispatching: Killing the game after it has been shot or captured. Must be done quickly and humanely.; → ettersok
Drive: A single pass through a terrain area during a driven hunt. A hunting party typically conducts 2 to 3 drives per day.; → drivjakt
Firearms License: Police authorization to acquire and own firearms. Applied for at the local police district. Requires documented need and background check.
GPS Collar: Electronic tracking device on a hunting dog. Provides real-time position via handheld receiver. Garmin and Tracker are the most common in Norway.
Harvest Quota: The number of animals of a species permitted to be harvested in an area per season. Set by the municipality, wild reindeer board, or predator management board.
Harvest Rate: The proportion of allocated hunting permits that are actually used. A high harvest rate indicates a healthy population and effective hunting.
Harvest Report: Mandatory reporting after harvesting cervids. Submitted to the hunting district or municipality with information about the animal.
Hunt Leader: Responsible for the execution and safety during a hunt. Determines positions, shooting sectors, and communication. Legally required for big game hunting in groups.
Hunter Registry: National registry of all hunters in Norway. Administered by Statistics Norway (SSB).
Hunter's Exam: Mandatory course and examination to obtain the right to hunt in Norway. Consists of a theory and a shooting test.; → jegerproven
Hunting Area: A defined area within a hunting district where hunting takes place. A district may consist of several hunting areas.
Hunting Cabin: A simple cabin used as a base during hunting. Often located in the terrain near the hunting area.
Hunting District: A defined hunting area approved for hunting one or more species. May consist of properties from multiple landowners.
Hunting Fee: Annual fee all hunters must pay to practice hunting. Paid to the state and grants the right to hunt throughout Norway. Costs approximately 300 NOK per season.
Hunting Party: A group of hunters who hunt together, typically during big game driven hunts. Led by a hunt leader.
Hunting Permit: Permission to harvest a specific number of animals. For cervids, permits are allocated based on population management plans and minimum area requirements.
License Hunting: Quota-regulated hunting of predators (lynx, wolverine, wolf, bear). The quota is set by the predator management board.; → gaupejakt
Migration Route: A regular route used by cervids between feeding and resting areas. Useful to know for stand hunting.; → posteringsjakt
Minimum Area: The minimum land area that grants the right to a hunting permit for cervids. Varies by municipality and species. For moose, typically 3,000 to 20,000 decares.
Operations Plan: Plan for wildlife management and hunting organization in a hunting district. Prepared by landowners in cooperation with the municipality.
PMR Radio: Personal mobile radio for communication during hunting. License-free, range 1 to 5 km depending on terrain.
Population Management Plan: Multi-year plan for managing cervids in a hunting district or municipality. Sets harvest goals based on population data and grazing conditions.
Rut: The mating season for cervids. Moose and red deer: September to October. Roe deer: July to August. The animals are more active and less cautious.; → lokkjakt
Shooting Sector: A defined area where a posted hunter is allowed to shoot during a driven hunt. Agreed upon before the drive starts to avoid dangerous situations.
Stand/Post: The position where a hunter is placed during a driven hunt to await game. Chosen based on migration routes and terrain.; → posteringsjakt
State Commons: State-owned wilderness where all Norwegian citizens have the right to hunt and fish. Managed by Statskog.
Survey Results: Results from systematic wildlife counts, e.g., grouse surveys. Used to set quotas and assess population size.
Tracking Dog: Collective term for dog breeds trained for blood tracking/search. Bavarian Mountain Hound and Hanoverian Scenthound are the most common.; → ettersok
Tracking Dog Network: Voluntary network of dog handlers with approved tracking dogs who can be called upon when needed.
Tracking Snow: Snow that makes it possible to see and follow animal tracks. Useful for lynx hunting, fox hunting, and population surveys.
Tracking/Search: The obligation to track and dispatch wounded game after a shot. Requires an approved tracking dog for big game.; → ettersok
Trail Camera: A camera with a motion sensor that takes photos or video of wildlife. Used for population monitoring and hunt planning.
Vital Organs: Heart and lungs. Shots to the vital organs ensure a quick and humane kill. Always the aiming point when hunting.
Wild Reindeer Board: Management body for wild reindeer in each reindeer area. Sets quotas and hunting seasons.
Wilderness/Outfield: All land that is not cultivated. The majority of Norwegian hunting takes place in the outfield.
Wildlife Management: Systematic management of wildlife populations through hunting, protection, habitat improvement, and monitoring.