The average age of Norwegian hunters is alarmingly high, and is now approaching 50 years. For more than half of the almost 60,000 Norwegian moose hunters have passed half a century. – It is perhaps not so surprising that recruitment has become poor. It is expensive to go hunting, and it is often difficult to join a hunting team and find available hunting grounds. That’s what 26-year-old Isak Stene says. He is one of six on a hunting team of people in their 20s who get to hunt elk at half price in Bangdalen in Namsos. Young people can hunt there for less than NOK 100 a day. Recruiting younger hunters It takes place on Statskog’s land, and is part of the company’s youth investment. Now they offer cheap moose hunting to young people in 13 places in the country. – This was almost better than we dared to hope for. We were excited about how this would be received, and the massive response is incredibly fun, says Statskog’s head of hunting and fishing, Jo Inge Breisjøberget. Isak Stene (from left), Jo Inge Breisjøberget and Knut Nordfjellmark are looking forward to the moose hunt starting. Photo: Espen Andreas Sandmo / news For 75 young hunters around the country have now received offers from Statskog, and even more are waiting in line. – Over 200 young people are now on a waiting list linked to these fields. It’s really sad that we don’t get to give them the opportunity, but at the same time this gives real hope for the future of moose hunting, says Breisjøberget. – We are talking about a part of Norwegian culture that provides fantastic food, good nature experiences and often has an important social function among friends, families and local communities. And with the good response to this year’s moose hunt, it is quite possible that Statskog will extend the scheme until next autumn. The 26-year-old has his own dog on an elk hunt in Bangdalen in Namsos. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Moose hunting for youth Here the youth teams can hunt on Statskog grounds around Norway: Troms Boatkajohka-Joselva in Nordreisa Helligskogen in Storfjord Høgskarhus in Målselv Nordland Gjerdal in Sørfold Beiardal in Beiarn Tvildal in Hattfjelldal Virvassdalen in Rana Midt-Norge Flensmarka in Røros Solum in Namsos Høyby in Malvik Vektarhaugene in Meråker Sør-Norge Hemberget in Gravberget in Våler Fredriksetermarka in Nord-Fron (Source: Statskog) – Very good offer – I have been hunting before, and actually shot a moose too. But this will be the first time on my own, and on my own. It will be exciting. The offer from Statskog is very good, says Isak Stene in Namsos. Statskog has reserved 13 hunting areas for youth teams. 44 teams applied, and 13 teams with 75 hunters won the draw. The average age of these hunters is 24 years. One in ten are women, and that is slightly higher than is common among the country’s hunters. Statskog also offers half price on elk hunting licenses for young people under 30. – This means that they can take part in moose hunting for well under a hundred Swedish kroner a day, states Statskog. Moose hunting has long traditions in Norway, but the hunters are getting older. Photo: Lemet Johanas Nystad Mentor and supervisor In addition, the young hunting teams get their own supervisor and mentor. In Namsos, it is Knut Nordfjellmark who has been given that role. – I shot my first moose in 1985, and have good experience. It will be exciting to teach something to the younger hunters. It is very good that something is being done about recruitment. Because there are starting to be a lot of old men in the forest, says the 54-year-old. The young hunting team in Namsos will hunt a dam with three animals. – I hear they say it is a good dam, with good chances of getting moose. I am betting on full throttle from day one, says 26-year-old Isak Stene. Isak Stene with the two rifles he will use during the moose hunt this autumn. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Published 25.09.2024, at 17.12
ttn-69
Isak Stene is ready for hunting in Namsos – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
