The ‘white grouse” is truly one of the finest wing shooting in the world.
The shooting season is short and runs usually from the 1st of November to the 30th of November (The exact date confirmed each year by The Environment Agency of Iceland ). A good fitness level is required as the hunters will spend most of the day hiking and climbing on foot along steep hills and valleys and onto the high mountain tops in search of Ptarmigan. But when it gets later in November and the weather changes, the first snow produces a heavy cover of snow on the mountains. This forces the birds to find food and shelter in the lower-lying valleys and patches of scrub birch, and while the hunters are still required to do a large amount of walking, the terrain is not as steep or as difficult to traverse as might be expected in the early half of the season.
Daylight also plays a big part in deciding when to hunt. In November daylight from about 09.00 am – 6:00 pm.
Shooting is usually sold as a four to five-day package that includes three to four days of shooting. hunters will be picked up by our driver upp on arrival at Keflavík International Airport and driven to the shooting area and lodge. Days two, three, and four are taken up with shooting. On day five, the final day, clients will shoot before returning to Reykjavík in the evening. Hunters will be accompanied by a guide who has a 4WD vehicle.
General info
Season: November ( Hunting days issued by the Government in September each year )
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure from Reykjavík, arriving at the hunting accommodation that evening.
Day 2: Shooting from the morning until the afternoon.
Day 3: Same program.
Day 4: Same program.
Day 5: Same program. Leaving the lodge in the evening to go to your Reykjavík hotel.
Day 6: Check out after breakfast, and depart to the International airport for your flight back home.
Documents:
Before your arrival please submit the following data: A copy of your Passport, Full name, and address, a photocopy of your local shotgun license, and a local hunting license. The type, make, and serial number of your guns. This information is needed one month before your arrival.
Shooting equipment:
You are permitted to bring into the country semi-automatic or double-barrelled shotguns. The most effective caliber for ptarmigan shooting in Iceland is 12 gauge. For semi-automatic shotguns, the maximum is three cartridges. All types of suitable cartridges may be bought in Reykjavik or we can supply them.
Climate:
The climate is temperate with extremes in hot and cold are not uncommon, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. The average temperature in October, November, and December is around from -5°C / 23°F to 0°C / 32 °F.
Clothing:
You should bring warm clothing, a Gore-Tex type windcheater, wool or thermal underwear and good walking boots.
