Am I allowed to hunt in Norway?
Only if you have everything in place — hunting requires a passed hunting exam, a paid hunting fee, the landowner's permission and a weapon licence. The hunting exam is a mandatory 30-hour course with an electronic exam, and you can sit the exam from the year you turn 14. The age limit for hunting is 16 for small game and 18 for big game. You must pay an annual hunting fee and be in the Hunter Register; the hunting year runs 1 April–31 March. Big-game hunting with a rifle requires a passed shooting test each year. Weapons need a separate licence from the police. Hunting without this is illegal and can bring a fine, prison and loss of hunting rights.
📋 The rules
- Required: hunting exam + hunting fee + landowner's permission + weapon licence
- The exam: a 30-hour course + test (from the year you turn 14)
- Age limit: 16 small game, 18 big game
- Annual hunting fee and registration in the Hunter Register
- Big-game hunting with a rifle needs a shooting test each year
🔓 Exceptions
- Foreign hunters can qualify with equivalent documentation from home
- Beaters and dog handlers without a weapon are exempt from the hunting fee
- A missing hunting report adds a surcharge to next year's hunting fee
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Hunting without the paid fee, a valid exam or permission, or out of season, can bring a fine and prison and loss of hunting rights. Weapon offences are punished separately under the Firearms Act.
📎 Official sources
- Agriculture Directorate · Hunting fee →
- Hunting Practice Regulation · Lovdata →
- Environment Agency · Hunting exam →
❓ Frequently asked
What do I need to hunt?
A passed hunting exam, a paid hunting fee, the landowner's permission and a weapon licence from the police.
How old must I be?
16 for small game and 18 for big game. You can sit the hunting exam from the year you turn 14.
What is the hunting exam?
A mandatory 30-hour course with an electronic exam that you must pass before you can hunt.
Must I take a shooting test?
Yes, for big-game hunting with a rifle you must pass a shooting test each year.
Do I need the landowner's permission?
Yes. You must have hunting rights, either as the landowner or through permission from the rights holder.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “am I allowed to hunt norway”
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