Ptarmigan hunting

Ptarmigan hunting is one of the most characteristic Norwegian forms of hunting. The mountain villages are the main ground, the pack is a lighter one for a full day in the terrain, and the rhythm is as much a walking trip as a hunt. Classics such as the ptarmigan hunt in Reinheimen, Trollheimen and Finnmarksvidda have a deep-rooted tradition — for many hunting families, the ptarmigan hunt in autumn is as cherished an annual occasion as Christmas.

The population figures have fallen dramatically. In the 1980s, around 650,000 ptarmigan were taken each year in Norway. In the 1990s it dropped to around 450,000. After 2010 the harvest has typically been under 200,000 — the 2021–2022 season took 159,300 ptarmigan (114,500 willow ptarmigan, 44,800 rock ptarmigan). Both species are red-listed. The pressures on the population are driven by several factors — habitat change, climate change, local predators, and the small-rodent cycle, which has become less predictable.

For anyone who wants to take up ptarmigan hunting in 2026 it remains a viable activity, but with stricter quotas and more deliberate management than a generation ago. It is still there — just a little smaller, and a little more regulated.

Willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan

There are two ptarmigan species in Norway:

Willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) lives in the transition zone between forest and mountain — birch and willow scrub on the low fells, typically 600–1,000 m above sea level in southern Norway and lower in the north. Larger than the rock ptarmigan, with a more brownish plumage in summer. Classic small-game hunting with a pointing dog, or spotter hunting from open terrain.

Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) lives higher up, on the bare mountain above the tree line. Smaller than the willow ptarmigan, with greyer plumage. Classic hunting on the plateau and high mountain. The population figures are lower than for the willow ptarmigan, and often more concentrated in particular mountain areas.

Both species turn white in winter — hence the name «rype» (from the Old Norse rjúpa). For the hunter it is important to know that in the early season (September) they still have their summer plumage and are better camouflaged in the moss.

Season and conditions

The Norwegian ptarmigan season:

10 September–28/29 February — the rest of the country
Until 15 March — Troms, Finnmark and parts of Nordland

It is the longest hunting season for any Norwegian game species. The season is divided into three phases with different conditions:

Early season (10 September–October) — warmer weather, no snow, ptarmigan in a scattered pattern and often in smaller flocks. The summer plumage gives good camouflage. The dog does a great deal of the work — some hunters know it as «the most beautiful ptarmigan season». It calls for physical fitness and quiet movement.

Main season (November–January) — frost and snow cover. Ptarmigan in white plumage, more concentrated in particular habitats. Tracking in snow becomes part of the hunting technique.

Late season (February–March) — in northern Norway. The long days begin to return, and the ptarmigan begin to pair up. Often the most productive period in northern areas.

For anyone planning: weather is the dominant variable. Clear days with moderate wind are optimal. A storm or intense cold can make the terrain demanding.

Where in Norway

The ptarmigan hunt is distributed by geography:

Troms and Finnmark have the longest season and large areas with a solid ptarmigan population. Statskog and Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo) offer small-game permits. Innenbygdsboende (locally registered residents) have priority on FeFo land.

Nordland — varied conditions. Saltfjellet, Børgefjell and local mountain areas have classic ptarmigan grounds.

Trøndelag and Innlandet (Hedmark/Oppland) — mountain villages such as Trysil, Engerdal, Femundsmarka, Trollheimen, Dovre. Classic ptarmigan grounds with good infrastructure.

Telemark and Sørlandet — a lower population, but ptarmigan hunting takes place in mountain villages such as Setesdal Vesthei and in western Norway generally.

Western Norway — less traditional, but mountain areas from Hardangervidda to Sunnmøre have ptarmigan populations.

For up-to-date information: Statskog and local fjellstyrer (mountain boards) have population reports for their areas. Local hunting associations often give fresh information about which areas are most productive this season.

With a dog or without

Ptarmigan hunting takes place both with and without a dog:

With a pointing gun dog — the classic form. Pointer, setter (English or Irish), münsterländer, or weimaraner are classic breeds. The dog runs ahead and «points» when it finds ptarmigan. You walk up to the dog and shoot when the ptarmigan flush.

For hunting with a dog, the dog’s training is decisive. It takes 2–4 years to train a good ptarmigan dog, and the interplay between hunter and dog is the key. Well-known Norwegian breeds include the Norwegian haldenstøver (a running hound, used more for hare than for ptarmigan), but most Norwegian ptarmigan hunters use international pointing breeds.

Without a dog — you walk through the terrain yourself and try to spot ptarmigan. It calls for good local knowledge, quiet movement, and patience. Common in open terrain above the tree line, especially for rock ptarmigan.

For anyone who is new: hunting without a dog is easier to start with. Hunting with a dog requires training the dog over months or years.

Equipment

For ptarmigan hunting you need:

A shotgun — 12-gauge or 20-gauge is standard. The 20-gauge is popular for ptarmigan because it is lighter to carry over long days. Shot size 6–7 for ptarmigan.

A pack system — a 30–45 litre rucksack for a full day. Clothes for a change in the weather, a water bottle, food, a map, a compass.

Clothing — layered, as for a walking trip. A windproof outer shell, an extra warm layer in the pack. The classic colour is olive green or brown, but the most important thing is that the clothes do not shine in the sun. Orange elements (safety orange) are recommended and required in many areas.

Footwear — walking boots or mountain boots that can take both wet and hard ground. In the late season: winter boots or mountain boots with crampons if you go high up.

A cartridge belt — for quick access to ammunition while you walk.

A tracking dog — not compulsory for ptarmigan (only for moose, red deer and roe deer), but useful for finding downed game in vegetation.

For anyone who wants to build out: a GPS or an offline map app for positioning, binoculars for spotting ptarmigan at a distance.

Accuracy and ethics

Ptarmigan hunting has strict ethical demands on accuracy:

A shotgun shot at a bird in flight requires timing — you lead the shot ahead of the bird so that the shot pellets strike it while it is moving. It calls for practice on the range before the hunting season.

Distance — typically an effective range of 25–35 metres. Beyond that the risk of wounding rises dramatically.

Wounding — the worst ethical challenge. If the bird flies on with visible injuries, you must follow it and dispatch it as quickly as possible.

Background — know what is behind the bird. Shot pellets can carry 200+ metres.

Quota awareness — many ptarmigan areas have daily quotas (typically 3–5 ptarmigan per hunter per day). It is not a competition to hit the maximum; it is a duty to keep the harvest within what the area can bear.

Statskog and the fjellstyrer have their own quotas and reporting duties. Following them is not optional — it is the core of population management.

Population management

The ptarmigan is red-listed, and management is stricter than for many other species. Classic measures:

Season closures — in low-population years, ptarmigan hunting can be restricted or closed in local areas. Check the local municipality or fjellstyre before the season starts.

Daily quotas — typically 3–5 ptarmigan per hunter per day. Local variations.

Season quotas — a total number of ptarmigan per hunter per season in particular areas.

Management zones — some areas have seasonal restrictions during part of the season to protect the breeding population.

For anyone who wants to follow the population trend: NJFF, Hjorteviltportalen and Miljødirektoratet publish annual reports. Local hunting associations often have detailed knowledge of their region.

The way in

For anyone who is new to ptarmigan hunting:

Pass jegerprøven (the hunter proficiency test) and pay the hunting licence fee (jegeravgift)
Shooting practice on a range with a shotgun. Practise on clay pigeons or thrown clays for a moving target.
Buy a small-game permit for the area. Inatur for Statskog land, the local fjellstyre for common land.
A first hunting trip in company — go along with an experienced ptarmigan hunter or an NJFF weekend. You learn the terrain, the game’s habits, and practical technique.
Build up gradually — a single day trip the first time, a weekend trip after that, whole weeks after a couple of seasons.

For anyone who wants a dog: NJFF local branches arrange dog trials and training. The classic choice is a pointing gun dog — bird trials at NJFF test the dog’s suitability for hunting.

Next steps

If ptarmigan hunting is new: sign up for an NJFF weekend trip or go along with an experienced ptarmigan hunter for the first season. It is clearly the easiest way in.

If you have a season or two behind you and want to go further: consider training your own ptarmigan dog, or expand to other small-game species (woodland grouse, hare). Local hunting associations often have combined ptarmigan and woodland-grouse weekends.

For choosing equipment: consider upgrading to a light 20-gauge shotgun if you walk a lot, to reduce the load over the day. For anyone who wants to build out to big game: big-game hunting is the qualitative next step.

For related small-game species: small-game hunting goes through hare, woodland grouse and other species.

Learn more

Text: Snuitide (2026).