It’s Ptarmigan Hunting Season Again!

Four weekends this year will be open for hunting ptarmigans, with a quota of 54,000 of the birds set aside.

The Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources has announced that the season begins on Friday, October 23. This will continue until November 15, but only in three-day blocks covering Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Ministry places emphasis on sustainable hunting, encouraging hunters to not hunt more than they will consume for themselves. Ptarmigan hunting is only intended for personal use; there is currently a sale ban in place for domestic ptarmigan (although imported ptarmigan can be found in some stores when in season).

The quota, 54,000 birds, is up from last year’s quota by 6,000 birds. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History has reiterated that the current hunting practice of ptarmigans is unsustainable, RÚV reports, pointing out that the ptarmigan population has been well below average for the past 50 years now.

Ptarmigans are a traditional and seasonal Icelandic dish, typically served around Christmastime.