Norway Reindeer Hunt – Need Trophy Judging Advice

[WILD HUNTING SPAIN]

Good morning!

In a few weeks I'll be heading to Norway for a solo reindeer hunt. From what I understand, the reindeer will be gathered in large herds, and I'm hoping to have the opportunity to harvest a really nice bull.

I'd like to ask for some advice on how to evaluate these trophies in the field. I know they're very similar to the caribou found in the U.S. and Canada, but I'd really appreciate any tips on what to look for when selecting a mature, high-quality animal.

What characteristics do you focus on? Main beam length? Shovel development? Top points? Symmetry? Overall mass?

Any advice from those with experience hunting reindeer or caribou would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Muskox]

I would watch a ton of reindeer/caribou hunting footage for Norway. That way you can see what is normal versus see what a Mountain Caribou in the Yukon looks like. Kind of set some expectations.

 

[grand veneur]

I have hunted Caribou in Greenland and Canada's Northwest Territories. I don't think the hunting conditions there are comparable to those in northern Norway. We have several members from Scandinavia on the Forum who can certainly provide good informations about Reindeer hunting in Norway.

 

[Speedgoat]

Where in Norway are you hunting?

Overall lenght, with, mass, size of the shovel, points on the shovel, points and lenght of the points all counts.

 

[GuttormG]

don't think the hunting conditions there are comparable to those in northern Norway

Reindeer is hunted in the mountains of mid and southern Norway (further north there are no wild reindeer).
Be prepared for a lot of walking, a lot of hours using binoculars, heavy backpacks, bad weather and returning with only memories.

Hunting solo-only you? No local guide?

 

[GuttormG]

The large Bulls do not stay with the larger flocks, they keep in smaller male only flocks.

Search "reinsjakt" on YouTube and you will get hours of videos.

 

[analog_peninsula]

The large Bulls do not stay with the larger flocks, they keep in smaller male only flocks.

Search "reinsjakt" on YouTube and you will get hours of videos.

While not high art, his videos nicely show the size of the bull reindeer. They also nicely show the windy conditions you can expect when hunting in that area.

 

[WILD HUNTING SPAIN]

Where in Norway are you hunting?

Overall lenght, with, mass, size of the shovel, points on the shovel, points and lenght of the points all counts.

View attachment 783364

I think I am going to be hunting in Reinheimen area.

 

[Speedgoat]

Reinheimen is beautiful! Be prepared for a lot of hiking, at times in rough terrain. Patience and scouting with binoculars will always pay off.

I’m attaching a couple of photos from there, taken at the end of July last year. I spent several days up there hiking and fishing.

 

[analog_peninsula]

What a great place to be a dog!

 

[Muskox]

Yeah, but five months a year it’s -40 Celsius or Fahrenheit. Take your pic.

 

[analog_peninsula]

Correction: What a great place to be a dog with a really, really thick coat!

 

[GuttormG]

You will very likely experience frost during your hint.