Hunting in Norway 2022
In mid-September 2022, my husband and I started our Scandinavian journey via the Puttgarden (Fehmarn) ferry connection to Rödby (Denmark) to our first destination Sweden. There we were warmly welcomed by the new family of our puppy "English Birdland's EROS". During the following two days we took part in Swedish field tests on pheasants and partridges in nice hunting grounds around Ystad. Neither Chablis nor Cuccas made it into the qualifications but were particularly praised for their breed-typical style, passion and hunting efficiency. It was extremely interesting to get to know the Swedish dogs and the different evaluation system - and to make many new acquaintances with setters and pointer people who live the same enthusiasm for British Pointing dogs as we do.
That same evening, we continued our journey 700km northwards to Norway. Passing Malmö, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Oslo in a hurry – city tours were not included in the program. Our friend Tor Fløysvik lives with his team of setters (Kennel Dancaettens) in Kongsberg, about one hour north-west of Oslo. There we hunted in the following 3 days intensively in the autumn forests with guns and dogs for black grouse and capercaillie. Brightly colored foliage, idyllic moor lakes with reed fringes, yellow ferns on lush green moss beds, endless expanses of berries and heather - a fantastic experience to see the dogs working in the wonderful Scandinavian nature!
Especially my male Losey impressed me with his hunting efficiency. Several times he managed to find and point black grouse. Unfortunately, however, a good shot was not possible. On the third day, I was able to shoot a young black grouse in front of his grandson Pomeroy. Horrido - the joy was overwhelming!!!
The journey continued about 3 hours in a north-westerly direction to the Norwegian "Highlands" to hunt for grouse with our setter team. The goal was the mountain lodge "Halne Fjellstugu", located on a huge mountain lake in front of an almost surreally beautiful panorama of the "infinity" of this inviting high plateau far away from any human settlement. The tree line in Norway is already around 1000 meters above sea level. Above that stretch gentle hills with heather and berry plants that are no more than knee-high, colorful autumn colors in the sunlight - fantastic conditions for hunting with English Setters! But the icy wind gave us an idea about the cold and mercilessness nordic winter.
The evening before we got a briefing on the circumstances. With the help of maps, one was forced to orient oneself to cardinal points and natural features in order to exploit the hunting areas and at the same time find one's way back to the base station. Unimaginable in Germany! The next morning the small hunting groups (each 2 hunters and an accompanying person with 3-4 setters) started across the lake in motor boats. How exciting for humans and dogs! The dogs hunted individually or in couples and were rotated about every half hour to conserve energy throughout the day. But all the hardships are worth it for the moment when the brown-and-white birds fly away in front of the pointing. Unforgettable moments when a grouse is falling down and your own dog fetches it with pride – I am so grateful to live that.
„If God was a hunter, he would live in Halne/Norway.“ (NW)
Probably the best summary.
Gallery wood hunt with English Setters:
Gallery grouse hunting:
