A total of 1,021 reindeer may be hunted during the 2022 season, 546 cows and 475 bulls, according to the newly released quota from the Minister of the Environment, Energy, and Climate. The decision is based on proposals from the Environment Agency of Iceland. This is 199 fewer reindeer than last year, primarily due to uncertainty about reindeer counts due to weather conditions and the movement of animals between hunting areas during the count.
Bull (male reindeer) hunting season is from August 1 to September 15. Cows (female reindeer) may be hunted between August 1 and September 20. During the first two weeks of the season, hunters are required to avoid killing cows that are suckling, in order to minimise the impact hunting has on calves. Hunting guides are responsible for assisting and guiding hunters in their selection of prey. Icelandic regulations forbid the hunting of calves and bulls under two years of age.
Read More: In Reindeer Country
As in previous years, the quota is divided between nine hunting areas, with the permitted number of animals specified for each area. The Environment Agency advertises and handles the sale of all reindeer hunting licences.
Reindeer are not native to Iceland. They were imported to the country from Norway in the late eighteenth century and are currently to be found in the east of the country. Reindeer have no natural predators in Iceland.
