Bird Hunting in Lapland — Riekko

Willow ptarmigan (riekko) on the open fells of Finnish Lapland

📍Saariselkä, Lapland, Finland

About This Experience

Willow ptarmigan is the quintessential Lapland game bird — pure white in winter camouflage, it lives above the treeline on the open fell plateau. The hunting season opens in late August when birds are still in summer plumage and are less wary. Our guide works the fell slopes of Saariselkä fell area, covering 3,000+ hectares of state hunting land under a commercial quota licence. Pointing dogs (Hungarian vizsla and German short-haired pointer) locate birds in the crowberry and dwarf birch scrub. Shots are typically over 20 metres on flushed birds. The fell scenery — golden autumn colours stretching to the horizon — makes this one of Finland's most atmospheric hunts even on days with few shots.

Highlights

• ✓Open fell landscape above treeline
• ✓Trained vizsla and GSP pointing dogs
• ✓State quota licence included
• ✓Autumn fell colours — stunning scenery

Target Species / Game

What to Bring

• —Shotgun 12 or 20 ga
• —Windproof jacket
• —Hiking boots
• —Hunting licence