Hunts in Iceland
Hunt with our Friends - Hunts in Iceland
Are you looking for species not available with our BC guided hunts? Hunt with our friends in Iceland.
Hunts in Iceland offer a unique experience for outdoor enthusiasts, set against the backdrop of the country’s stunning landscapes. The island nation provides diverse hunting opportunities while maintaining strict regulations to ensure wildlife conservation and sustainability.
To participate in Icelandic hunting, both residents and tourists must obtain a valid hunting card from the Environment Agency of Iceland. Foreign hunters are required to hunt with a licensed Icelandic guide and must arrange necessary permits well in advance of their trip. This includes obtaining a short-term gun license from the Icelandic Police, which requires presenting a valid hunting license from one’s home country.
Iceland offers a variety of game species for hunting, each with specific seasons and regulations. Popular quarry includes geese, particularly greylag and pink-footed geese, with the season typically running from late August to late September. Reindeer hunting is highly regulated and limited to East Iceland, with a short season from August to mid-September. This hunt requires a special permit and is known for its challenging terrain and stalking requirements.
Other huntable species include various duck species, ptarmigan, and seabirds such as puffins, though the latter is subject to strict regulations and traditional hunting methods. The hunting of marine mammals, including whales, is also permitted in Iceland, though it remains a controversial practice internationally.
Ethical hunting and conservation play crucial roles in Iceland’s hunting culture. Quotas and regulations are carefully set to maintain ecological balance and ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations. Hunters are expected to respect nature, adhere to ethical practices, and contribute to conservation efforts.
For those interested in experiencing hunting in Iceland, it’s essential to plan well in advance, work with reputable guides, and familiarize oneself with local regulations. This approach not only ensures a legal and ethical hunt but also provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in Iceland’s rich hunting traditions and breathtaking natural environment.
To connect with us about our hunts in Iceland, design your custom hunt and let us know your interest
Reindeer Hunt
The Icelandic reindeer offers unique and exclusive hunts in Iceland in the rugged landscapes of East Iceland. Introduced in 1780, these animals have adapted to the harsh Icelandic climate.
Specs: Males weigh 132-660 lbs, with impressive antlers that can span up to 51 inches.
Size: Shoulder height ranges from 35-55 inches, with a body length of 47-86 inches.
Season: The hunting season runs from July 15th to September 15th, with the best period from August 1st to September 10th.
Locations: Primarily found in the highlands of East Iceland, around Mt. Snæfell and the Vatnajökull glacier.
About the hunt: Reindeer hunting involves walking and stalking, often using 4×4 vehicles to navigate difficult terrain. Each permit allows the hunter to shoot only one reindeer, making it a challenging and rewarding pursuit.
Behaviours: Reindeer are herd animals that exhibit migratory behaviour, moving between summer and winter pastures. They are social and protective of their group.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists mainly of lichens in winter and grasses in summer. Reindeer migrate seasonally to access different food sources.
Management: Hunting is strictly regulated to maintain population balance and prevent overgrazing, as reindeer have no natural predators in Iceland. Only 800-1200 tags are issued annually, with most going to local hunters.
Ptarmigan Hunt
The ptarmigan is a popular game bird for hunts in Iceland, offering a challenging upland hunting experience in the country’s mountainous terrain.
Specs: Length i 13-14 inches, wingspan is 21-24 inches and weight is 1-1 1/2 lbs.
Size: Body length of 13-14 inches.
Season: The hunting season runs from August 20th to March 15th.
Locations: Found in the North and South parts of Iceland, particularly in mountainous areas.
About the hunt: Ptarmigan hunting involves walking through challenging mountainous terrain. It’s physically demanding due to the bird’s excellent camouflage and the harsh environment.
Behaviours: Ptarmigans form social structures involving flocking and territoriality. They have adapted to survive in harsh conditions, changing their plumage color seasonally for camouflage.
Diet & Seasonal Range: In fall, they feed on buds and berries. Winter diet primarily consists of buds, while spring brings more nutritious food sources.
Management: Population monitoring ensures sustainable hunting practices. The ptarmigan is classified as near threatened due to recent population declines, leading to careful management of hunting quotas.
Greylag Goose Hunt
The greylag goose is a popular target for waterfowl hunts in Iceland, offering exciting hunting opportunities in diverse landscapes.
Specs: Weight is 5 1/2 to 9 lbs length is 31 to 35 inches.
Size: 31 to 35 inches in length.
Season: The hunting season runs from August 20th to November 20th.
Locations: Found throughout Iceland, nesting on the mainland and islands, especially along riverbanks.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include using decoys and blinds. The challenge lies in careful calling and setup to attract these wary birds.
Behaviours: Greylag geese form long-term pair bonds, and juveniles stay with their parents for extended periods. They are highly adaptable to various habitats.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, and grains. Their diet changes seasonally based on availability.
Management: Managed through hunting regulations and habitat protection to ensure sustainable populations. Careful monitoring of breeding success and population trends informs management decisions.
Pink-Footed Goose Hunt
The pink-footed goose provides an exciting waterfowl opportunity for hunts in Iceland, attracting hunters from around the world.
Specs: Weight is 4-7 lbs, length is 23-30 inches and wingspan is 53-67 inches. Grey-brown plumage with pink feet and bill.
Size: 23-30 inches in length and 4-7 lbs in weight.
Season: The hunting season runs from August 20th to March 15th, typically ending in late October.
Locations: Commonly found in the highlands and agricultural fields of Iceland.
About the hunt: Hunting involves ambushing near water sources, often using pit blinds. The experience is unique to Iceland, with guided hunts available.
Behaviours: Pink-footed geese are monogamous, forming lifelong pair bonds. They are social birds that often gather in large flocks outside the breeding season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes tundra plants in summer and agricultural crops like barley and potatoes in winter. Migratory patterns occur from mid-September to early October.
Management: Conservation efforts focus on managing the population due to agricultural conflicts and habitat degradation. Hunting regulations are in place to ensure sustainable practices.
Atlantic Puffin Hunt
The Atlantic puffin, often called the “clown of the sea,” offers a unique experience for seabird hunts in Iceland.
Specs: Weight is 13- 17 oz, height is 11 – 12 1/2 in.
Size: 10 to 1 inches in length.
Season: The hunting season runs from July 1st to August 15th.
Locations: Primarily hunted in the Westman Islands, Akurey, Lundey, and coastal areas.
About the hunt: Puffin hunting is traditional but faces sustainability concerns due to declining populations. Hunters often use boats and can bag many birds in a day.
Behaviours: Puffins are social birds that mate for life, engage in courtship behaviours like billing, and nest in colonies.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Puffins primarily eat small fish such as sandlance, sprat, and herring. Their diet can vary based on seasonal availability of prey species.
Management: Conservation efforts include designated nature reserves, restrictions on hunting, and monitoring of populations due to significant declines in recent years.
Mallard Duck Hunt
The mallard duck is a popular target for waterfowl hunts in Iceland, offering diverse hunting opportunities across the country.
Specs: Length is 20-26 inches, weight is 1 1/2-3 1/2 lbs.
Size: Length is 20-26 inches, weight is 1 1/2-3 1/2 lbs.
Season: The hunting season runs from September 1st to March 15th.
Locations: Found in wetlands, ponds, and urban areas across Iceland.
About the hunt: Hunting involves walking and stalking. The challenge lies in the mallard’s wariness and adaptability to different environments.
Behaviours: Mallards are known for dabbling for food, engaging in social interactions, and performing elaborate courtship displays.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and grains, varying seasonally based on availability.
Management: Regulated hunting helps manage populations sustainably. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats crucial for breeding and wintering.
Arctic Fox Hunt
The Arctic fox is Iceland’s only native terrestrial mammal and offers a unique predator hunting experience for hunts in Iceland.
Specs: Males weigh 7 1/2 lb, females weigh 6 1/2 lb. Body length for males is 22 in, females 20 in. Tail length is about 12 in.
Size: Average head-and-body length of males is 22 in, females 20 in.
Season: The hunting season runs from late November to March.
Locations: Commonly found in the Westfjords and throughout Iceland.
About the hunt: Hunting involves tracking and ambushing; it requires patience due to the fox’s elusive nature and adaptability to harsh environments.
Behaviours: Arctic foxes exhibit nomadic and communal behaviors, often forming small family groups for hunting and raising young.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes lemmings, voles, birds, and carrion, varying seasonally based on availability.
Management: Conservation efforts are in place due to historical overhunting. Currently managed under specific regulations to ensure sustainability while allowing limited hunting opportunities.
Razorbill Hunt
The razorbill offers a challenging seabird hunting experience for hunts in Iceland in coastal areas.
Specs: Weight is 1 1/3 – 2 lbs. Body length is 13-17 inches. Wingspan is 24-27 in.
Size: 13-17 inches in body length. Weight ranges from 1 1/3 – 2 lbs.
Season: The hunting season runs from September 10th to May 10th.
Locations: Found on coastal cliffs and islands, particularly Grímsey and Látrabjarg.
About the hunt: Hunting challenges include distinguishing razorbills from similar species like murres, especially in low light conditions.
Behaviours: Razorbills are social birds that gather in large flocks. They are excellent swimmers and divers, using their wings to swim underwater.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They primarily eat small schooling fish year-round, adapting foraging strategies based on seasonal prey availability.
Management: Conservation practices include managing fisheries for sustainable stocks and protecting breeding colonies from invasive predators.
Common Guillemot Hunt
The common guillemot, also known as the common murre, provides an exciting seabird hunting opportunity for hunts in Iceland in coastal regions.
Specs: Length is 12-13 inches. Weight is 10-16 oz.
Size: Wingspan is 20-23 inche cm.
Season: The hunting season runs from September 1st to April 25th.
Locations: Found on rocky shores and coastal areas, especially in Breiðafjörður.
About the hunt: Hunting involves diving and foraging in shallow waters; challenges include navigating rocky habitats and distinguishing guillemots from other seabirds.
Behaviours: Guillemots breed in small colonies; their social structure ranges from solitary to colonial depending on the time of year and location.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet consists mainly of fish and marine invertebrates, changing seasonally based on availability of prey species.
Management: Regulated hunting seasons and restrictions on egg collection help ensure sustainable populations. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and managing marine ecosystems.
Wigeon Hunt
The Eurasian wigeon offers an exciting waterfowl hunting experience for hunts in Iceland in wetland areas.
Specs: Medium-sized duck, length is 16-20 in. Weight is 1-2 lbs. Males have a chestnut-coloured head with a cream forehead. Females are mottled brown.
Size: Length is 16-20 in. Weight is 1-2 lbs.
Season: The hunting season runs from September to January, with peak hunting in October.
Locations: Found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes across Iceland.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include using decoys and calling. Challenges include weather conditions and the need for stealth in approaching these wary birds.
Behaviours: Wigeons are known for dabbling for food, grazing on land, and forming large flocks outside the breeding season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily herbivores, their diet includes aquatic plants, grasses, and some insects during the breeding season.
Management: Conservation efforts focus on monitoring hunting impacts and protecting wetland habitats to ensure sustainable populations. Bag limits and season dates are adjusted based on population trends.
To connect with us about hunts in Iceland, submit our contact form and let us know your interest
5% of every hunt goes towards
conservation initiatives in the Chilcotin Ark
