Is there anywhere I can see some photos of Swedish moose trophies? I am contemplating a hunt there and would like to see what sort of animals are there. I was told they are not the most spectacular trophies around, but I would still like to see what they are like.
Thanks all.

This is a picture of a decent moose taken this september in Lappland in northern Sweden. It would probably make silver if scored. There is a big difference if the moose is from southern or northern Sweden.

[ 01-13-2003, 19:59: Message edited by: PCH ]

I now know that that is the moose of a lifetime (if you're lucky) where I hunted. Handlebars were the norm.

What is the horn "type" that's most common in Sweden? Over here the "st�nghorn"-type is now the most common one, but it used to be the other way around.

Two typical Moose from my area in southern Sweden



I was invited to this hunt were we were alloved to take two big ones and within 5 minutes after I was in position this guy shot theese two Moose and the hunt was over.

Crister,

What cartridge did he use? How much do those fellows weigh? Where exactly in Sweden (I'd like to look on a map)? Thanks.

Hobie

I dont know but I think he uses 30-06. The living weight would be around 500-600 pounds. The place of the hunt and were I live is situated 40 miles southeast from Gothenburg (second biggest town in Sweden)

Her you can se were Kinna is.

Cchunter.
Is it hard to obtain a hunting license for Moose in Sweden for other Scandinavians? I know many Icelanders that go to Norway to hunt, but I have hunted with Norwegians hunters that stated that there is a better chance of getting Moose in Sweden. And Sweden is just a 300 us dollars a way so a trip over there is not a problem.

S�lvi

Hunting in Sweden is not buying a license (Small game hunting in parts of northern Sweden not counted), You have to be a land owner or hire land to get a moose license. Most of the hunting is then made in big teams. The situation in our team are as follows. 20 hunters hunt 2-3 moose on 1300 hectars. I have shot 2 in 12 years of hunting so my score has not been so high, we draw the positions though and some people are lucky/skilled and shot animals more often. One team member (now dead) hunted since he was 20 and shot his first moose at 80.

So what could I say. If you like to be on a succesful moose hunt, try to hunt in Sweden. If you wnt to shot a moose, its hard to be guaranteed since the meat is most important it doesnt matter who the shooter is.

To compare my 2 moose in 12 years(1 male with small/medium trophy) I had 5 very nice trophies in africa this year in one week.

S�lvi

Please tell us about the hunting in Iceland.

well cchunter, it�s not like that in all team�s in Sweden. we are 10 hunters shooting 16+16 this year and back in 1985 we had license for 65 mooses
but the hard part is to get in to a team, and as you say most hunters hunt for the meat and are not interested in new members.
/karl

Karl

Where do you hunt?

CC i hunt i Angermanland
/karl

My friends in Vasterbotten have two leases and they had over 35 moose to shoot this year. I don't know the split. I haven't seen them ever shoot the Stanghorns you describe. Sometimes the webbing is not real good. They send me pictures all the time and say things like too bad you're not here. But maybe the Swedes from the north are just better hunters.

Ok lets straight it out, the hunters are not better but the moose sure is, it is a big difference from southern to northern Sweden. Not so strange since if you live at the sothern tip you have the same distance to the northern tip as you have to Italy.

I was invited by the Sako factory to the annual Sako moose hunt in 1985. We took 32 moose in two days...18 the first day and they all looked like the moose in Alaska except much smaller in size and in antlers. All taken with 30/06 Sako. 220 Sako Hammerheads and 6 X scopes.
I did not get one however on the last drive of the last day I had a chance at one at about 100 yards but I needed a chain saw to make sure I had a clean shoot. I was NOT going to be the only guy that wounded a moose so I passed the shot.
It was hard hunting and I have a new respect for that type of hunting style.
I would have to say I like the hunting methods we use on my west Texas ranch much better. It is far more one on one and I think the odds on getting an animal are much better in west Texas. Often our mesquite and cedar is as dense as all the 'green gold' in Finland. In the bad brush we use trucks with high seats which put us up about 11 to 12 foot in the air. Only way you can spot anything in the dense brush.
In Finland I hunted 'on line' and once I was up in a tower.

[ 11-21-2002, 22:39: Message edited by: Harry ]

Sorry for the delay.
Mostly we shoot all kind of birds here in Iceland. The Ptarmigan (Fj�llripa ) is the bird that is most demand because it is a custom to have it on our Christmas table.
Then we shoot a lot of Gees and duck�s and seabirds. There are no bag limits here unless you are hunting Reindeer. Than you are limited to one bull or one cow and calf and you have to buy license for them. Some of us shoot seals and Artic foxes. There is a lot of Icelandic hunters that go abroad to hunt and Poland is the most popular. Then some go to the states or to Africa.
S�lvi

Thanx S�lvi

Here comes some more questions -

Do you hunt your own property or can everyone hunt state property? Is it possible for foreigners to hunt on Iceland and what are the chances of sucess when you hunt Reindeers, Seals and Arctic fox? What calibers do you use for this hunting?

Everyone can hunt on land owned by the state and most of the farmers will give permission to hunt on there land, some will sell you bed and breakfast and there are some hunting groups that have rented the hunting rights on some farms. It is easy for foreigners to obtain hunting license here in Iceland. Success on Reindeer is almost 100% unless you are in a hurry. For the fox, if you take him over bait it�s a guaranty kill, but if just hunting around it�s just depend on luck.
The minimum calibre for the Reindeer is 243. I don�t know anybody that uses that, most hunt with something bigger, I myself and most of my friends use 300 WM. This autumn I shot a bull 110 kg+ with a 180g ballistic driven by 77 g of VV N165 behind it, He took it in the neck at ca 200 meters and fell like a bag of sement.

Thanks for the information Solvi

Do you have a picture of your Bull?

Sorry Christer. No picture from that trip.
We started at seven in the morning and drove inland in a 4x4 jeep for 2 1/2 hour. That time we put behind us maybe 18 km and then it was just walking up and down canyons crossing small rivers and looking for a heard. After a but 3 hours walk we spotted a few reindeers ca1, 5 km ahead and when we got closer they turned out to be more than 70. We had license for 2 cows and 2 bulls and we where going to shoot them all there in the bottom of the valley so we decided that one of us with a permission for a cow would go up in the mountain and sneak behind them, shoot his cow and when they would run by us we could finish the job. There where only 4 or 5 big bulls in the heard and we where able to pick the two we wanted.
After a half an hour or so our friend called on the radio that he could get in with 60 � 70 meters and that we should get ready. Then came the shoot and the heard started running toward us, One of us got his bull at a ca 50 m but I hat to wait until my bull was gone ca 200m away then I got a clear shot at him. The men with the second cow license newer shoot he just panicked seeing all those animals.
OK now the fun was over and the labour began, we had to skin and cut the reindeers in to peaces to be able to carry them back to the Jeep. I didn�t take the horns or the hide I was scheduled for surgery in a hospital the next day and could barely walk more than 1 � 200 meters then I had to rest because the pain was killing me. It took us 10 hours to get the meet down to the Jeep. Anyhow it was a fun trip and hunting, the only bad thing is that I could not go with them the day after to get the two cows.
I got most of the trip on video but no stills.

Solvi,
Thank you very much for the information. I always had the idea that hunting on Iceland was as exclusive and expensive as salmon fishing, but this was food for thought! I have some friends who have been fishing for trout on Iceland for several years, and I have seen their pictures. To hunt such a beautiful country must be great!

Thanks for the story Solvi

Herr Christer, the most expensive part in hunting in Iceland is probably getting there (aside from buying a reindeer). As S�lvi says most of ptarmigan hunting and pinkfooted goose hunting is done on state property and some greylag goose as well and is therefore relatively cheap. However most of the greylag goose hunting is done on lowlands on private property which is I am sad to say becoming ever more expensive because of increasing demand. The salmon fishing is really a bizarre thing in Iceland moneywise when compared to rivers in Russia for an example but many come partly to enjoy the nature as well as the salmon. It is right that it is relatively easy for you as a scandinavian resident to come to Iceland as a guesthunter and if interested and able, do so absolutely. The statement about few using the .243 as reindeermedicine in Iceland is not entirely true but fortunately more and more are moving to bigger and more powerful calibers and I think without knowing that the biggest group uses the old 30-06. Feel free to ask us if anything pops up.

GBF,
Thank you for your information! Is it difficult to bring a gun into Iceland?

Tjena Marterius. I admit I am not sure about the paperworks but try the site www.veidistjori.is This is the hunting administration in Iceland and you can have an english version. What I do know is that as a "guest hunter" hunting with a local person over there it should be next to no problem for you to bring your own gun there and hunt. What game are you interested in hunting there if I may ask ?

Georg,
Geese and ducks comes first to mind. I do not know anything about the reindeer hunting in Iceland, but if it is similar to the reindeer stalking in Norway, it would be very interesting!

Regards,
Martin

Thanks Georg for the information, it's always interesting to know something more about not so common hunting countries.

You are welcome. Now its your turn, how can I take my weapons over here to Sweden and hunt for an example roe or fallow ? I am terribly interested in doing so since I will stay here for at least the next 5 years.
Regards

This is the information supplied by http://www.jagareforbundet.se

In Sweden hunting and game preservation are regarded as an integrated and important part of wildlife conservation. Hunting is, and will continue to be, a wise long-term use of renewable natural resources.
Game - both mammals and birds - is essentially protected, and hunting can take place only to the extent and in the ways permitted by law. Protection also extends to eggs and nests.



Who can go hunting?

Every landowner has the hunting rights on his or her land, regardless of whether it is large or small. If landowners do not want to exercise these rights, they can lease them out in whole or in part. Hunting takes place to a greater or lesser extent on most land where it is legally permitted.

Hunting associations

About half the land in Sweden is owned by the state and large companies, particularly in the northern and central regions. On the greater part of this land the hunting rights are leased out to individuals or hunting associations.

In the areas where the available land is limited, co-operation is necessary to ensure viable hunting. Owners of hunting rights in various areas therefore often pool their rights to make larger hunting areas. Co-operation is particularly necessary for moose hunting to ensure conservation of the stock.

Hunters

Hunting is a popular sport in Sweden. There are more than 300.000 hunters, of whom almost 200.000 have chosen to join the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management (Svenska J�garef�rbundet). The association is a voluntary body whose main task is to look after the interests of hunting and hunters. Many hunters are also landowners but more than half lease shooting rights or belong to co-operative associations.

Since 1985 all newcomers to hunting have had to pass an examination comprising five separate parts, both theoretical and practical. Passing this examination is an essential condition for possession of firearms.

However, foreign visitors can obtain permission to bring their own firearms and use them in Sweden. See "Import of firearms" below.

Hunting opportunities for foreign visitors

As almost all hunting land is already accounted for, there are few opportunities to lease shooting rights in Sweden. However, many foreign hunters are invited to enjoy "exchange hunting" in Sweden. Under this scheme a foreign hunter can invite a Swedish hunter to hunt in his own country and is invited, in return, to hunt in Sweden.
Another increasingly popular option is to go hunting in Sweden as a "paying guest", and more and more landowners and hunting co-operatives offer this opportunity to both Swedish and foreign visitors.

Hunting permits Everyone who goes hunting in Sweden must pay an annual hunting conservation fee. The fee is valid for one year, from 1 July to 30 June the following year. For 2002/2003 the annual fee is 200 SEK.

The fee can be paid at all Post Offices. When the fee is paid the receipt is attached to the hunting permit, which must be carried at all times when hunting.

Hunting insurance

If foreign visitors do not have comprehensive insurance cover which is valid in Sweden they must take out a special hunting insurance policy which covers both personal accidents and third party liability. This insurance cover is available to those who join the Swedish Hunters" Association for one year. Membership costs about 270 SEK, including insurance but excluding the association"s magazine. Both the hunting permit and insurance can be arranged through the Swedish hunting host.

Permitted firearms and ammunition

Only rifles can be used for certain game, including moose, red deer and bear. For ammunition the following requirements apply. Bullets which weigh at least 10 grams (154 grains) must have an impact energy of at least 2.000 joules at 100 metres from the muzzle. Bullets which weigh between 9 and 10 grams (139-154 grains) must have an impact energy of at least 2.700 joules 100 metres from the muzzle.

Similar requirements also apply to hunting for fallow deer and wild boar. However, these game species can also be hunted with shotguns loaded with slug-ammunition. Only single-barrel shotguns can be used in this connection.

Beavers are also among the species which can be hunted only with rifles. For roe-deer hunting shotguns are allowed only between 1 October and 31 January. At other times rifles must be used. The minimum ammunition requirement for hunting beaver and roe deer is: bullet weight at least 3.2 grams (50 grains); impact energy of at least 800 joules 200 metres from the muzzle.

Fully jacketed bullets cannot be used for hunting any of the above species.

Shotguns which can be loaded with more than three cartridges may not be used. The largest permitted calibre is 12. Calibres malier than 20 - with certain exceptions - cannot be used for hunting.

The biggest shot size allowed is number US 1 (4 mm).

In certain wetland areas it is forbidden to use lead-shotcartridges. It is also forbidden to use lead-shot cartridges when hunting ducks and geese.
More information about these rules since July 1 2002, look here (in swedish)

Import of firearms

Foreign visitors planning to take their own firearms on a hunting trip to Sweden must start planning in good time and in co-operation with their Swedish host. As a rule it is best for the host to make an application on behalf of the guest.

Permission for the import and export is given by the police authority at the point where the firearms will be brought in to the country. The police have special application forms for this purpose.

Applications must be made in good time, at least one month in advance. The permit to import firearms must be shown to Customs at the point of entry into Sweden. In some cases the police lodge the permit with Customs and it is picked up by the guest when he arrives in the country.

Note! It is very important that the application is sent to the police authority at the point where the firearms will be brought in to the country!

The following information is needed on the application form:

Type of firearm (for example: rifle, bolt action, calibre, make and serial number).

What the weapon will be used for, as well as the period during which it will remain in Sweden (earliest arrival date, latest departure date).

Quantity of ammunition and calibre.

Owner"s name, address and date of birth.

Name, address, profession and telephone number of hunting host/operator.

Name and location of hunting area.

Whether the foreign hunting guest has any type of permit for the weapon in his own country, or other documents which support his right to own a weapon and confirm that he is accustomed to using the weapon for hunting of this type. Copies of such permit or other documents must be attached to the application form.

Place of arrival/departure in Sweden.

Written invitation from the Swedish host or hunting-tour operator.
If the foreign hunting guest is a citizen from a EU country he must, in some cases, also enclose the original of his EU Firearms Pass. Check this with the swedish police authority.
The fee for a permit to import firearms is 475 SEK, regardless of how many weapons are imported. The fee must be paid at the time of application.

Visitors from Denmark, Finland or Norway with permanent permission from proper authority to own and use firearms for private use in these countries may, without any special import permit or fee, to Sweden import these firearms and ammunition belonging to them. The firearms and ammunition may be used in Sweden for a period of maximum three months. The permit of the weapon should be brought along or - regarding Denmark and Finland - the European Firearms Pass.

Addresses of the police authorities at the points where foreign hunters usually arrive when they visit Sweden:
Polismyndigheten i Stockholms l�n
Flygplatspolisen Arlanda
Box 38
S-190 45 STOCKHOLM-ARLANDA
Tel + 46-8-401 53 01, (401 53 11)

Polismyndigheten i Sk�ne l�n
Vapen�renden
S-205 90 MALM�
Tel + 46-40-20 10 00

Trelleborgs Polisomr�de
Vapen�renden
Box 1
S-231 21 TRELLEBORG
Tel + 46-410-624 00

Helsingborgs Polisomr�de
Vapen�renden
Box 632
S-251 06 HELSINGBORG
Tel + 46-42-17 40 00

Ystads Polisomr�de
Vapen�renden
Box 1015
S-271 00 YSTAD
Tel + 46-411-675 00

Polismyndigheten i V�stra G�taland Tillst�ndsgruppen
Box 429
S-401 26 G�TEBORG
Tel + 46-31-739 35 40 (739 20 00)

Borrowing firearms

It is possible for foreign guests to borrow firearms from a Swedish hunter. If the owner of the weapon is always together with the person who has borrowed the weapon within a few metres - the only requirements are that the foreign hunter must be at least 15 years of age and be in possession of a Swedish hunting permit.

If the foreign hunter wants to borrow a weapon for his own use he must be at least 18 years old and be permitted to use the same type of weapon in his own country. The Swedish owner of the weapon must draw up a loan certificate which must be written on a photocopy of his permit for the weapon. On the photocopy must be stated the name of the guest hunter, his home address and address in Sweden, as well as the purpose and duration of the loan, which cannot be longer than 14 days. The information about the guest hunter and his loan of the weapon must be signed by the Swedish owner of the weapon.

Moose-hunting tests

Foreign hunters who want to go hunting for moose in Sweden should arrange through their host to visit a moose-hunting training range before the hunt.

Many landowners and hunting hosts makes it a requirement that moose hunters must have passed a recognised test at the bronze level before they take part in the hunt.

During the test, hunters shoot at a life-size figure of a moose at a distance of 80 metres.
The test involves shooting at the figure both while it is stationary and when it is "running".

Dogs

Dogs imported into Sweden must be vaccinated against rabies, leptospirosis and canine distemper. They must also carry an identification mark and the Agricultural Agency must give permission for the import. If these requirements are not met, dogs must be kept in quarantine for four months. It will be obvious, therefore, that it is relatively complicated to bring a dog into Sweden.

Statens Jordbruksverk
Vallgatan 8
551 82 J�NK�PING
Tel + 46-36-15 50 00



Roe deer.

Hunting seasons

The hunting seasons in Sweden cover mainly the autumn and winter (August-February). The start and duration of the season for a particular species can vary considerably between one part of Sweden and another. It is therefore necessary for foreign hunters to find out through their host what dates apply to the area where they plan to hunt.

Moose hunting in southern and central Sweden starts at the beginning of October and continues for about two months. In northern Sweden the season for moose starts at the beginning of September and is divided into two parts with a break during the rutting season towards the end of September and beginning of October.

In the smallest hunting areas moose hunting is allowed for only a few days.

The season for roe deer is longer. It starts on 16 August with hunting for bucks. In southern and central Sweden hunting for kids is allowed from 1 September, and all roe deer can be taken from 1 October. In northern Sweden roe-deer hunting finishes on 31 December and in the rest of Sweden on 31 January. Certain provinces also permit hunting for bucks between 1 May and 15 June.

For hazel hen, black grouse and capercaillie hunting is permitted from 25 August, except in Sk�ne and on Gotland.

Red grouse and ptarmigan occur only in northern Sweden, where the hunting season starts on 25 August.

Beaver are found in parts of central and northern Sweden and hunting is permitted fr o m 1 October to 10 or 15 May. The best season for beaver is normally the latter part of April and the beginning of May.

Hunting seasons in Sweden are reviewed by the government every third year. Please note also that owners of hunting rights may limit the normal seasons for certain species for example, by starting the season later than normal, or closing the season before the usual date.

What time of day?

Moose can be hunted from one hour before sunrise until sunset.

Certain species, including roe deer, fallow deer and red deer can be hunted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. After sunset only stalking or sitting up are allowed.

For other species, 24-hour hunting is permitted, provided it is during the lawful season.


Fallow deer Photo: Madeleine Th�rnqvist


Wounded animals

The Swedish hunting laws are very strict, particularly regarding wounded animals. When hunting ungulates it is a requirement that a specially trained tracker dog can be available within two hours. For certain bird species it is a requirement that a dog is present during the shoot.

It is a duty of the Swedish hunting hosts to ensure that these requirements are observed.

Thank you Christer.
I will start bothering the authorities as soon as possible and hopefully it will result in me being able to start having fun again. I havent touched my guns since last august and am suffering from serious withdrawal

Georg,
Where in Sweden do you live?

/Martin

Tjena Martin I live in Stockholm. Been here for one and a half year now studying.

Georg,
I hope you will enjoy your stay!

/Martin

Thank you Martin. I am already enjoying staying here, this is truly "gods country" when regarding the nature and weather, it was though a bit on the warmer side last summer actually far too hot for me to be honest . I was at the Tj�rn� marine biology research station for some days in july and man, taking a dive in the sea during the hottest days that was a relieve.

Regards