Scientists propose longer ptarmigan hunting season as population rises

mbl.is reported that Iceland’s National Institute of Natural History has proposed extending the ptarmigan hunting season by 11 days this year compared with last year, citing an increase in the bird population in several regions.

The institute has proposed that hunting remain allowed five days a week, from Friday through Tuesday, with hunting prohibited on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The season would open on October 23 across all hunting areas.

The country would again be divided into six hunting regions, with the season ending on December 22 in the East, December 1 in the North and West, November 24 in the Westfjords, and November 17 in the Northwest and South.

This system was introduced in 2024 and is based on new population models and regional hunting management.

Ptarmigan counts showed different population trends across the country. Numbers increased notably in the South, the Northwest, the Northeast and the East, while counts in the Westfjords and West remained similar to previous years. Several counting areas recorded their highest numbers since monitoring began, including Dalir in the West, Skagi in the Northwest, Bakkafjörður, Tjörnes and Kelduhverfi.

Overall, about 7 percent more ptarmigan were recorded this year than last year. Based on population indexes from counts over the past 20 years, the population is around average in the West and South, and above average in the Northwest, Westfjords, Northeast and East.

The institute said the significant decline in gyrfalcon numbers in recent years, which has been blamed on bird flu, may be linked to the high density of ptarmigan in some regions. Results from the 2026 gyrfalcon monitoring programme are not yet available.

No spring cold spell occurred across the country this year, which the institute said was likely beneficial for the ptarmigan population. In some years, young birds have been badly affected by cold spells in spring.

According to the institute’s population models, the ptarmigan population last spring was similar to or larger than the previous year. Annual bird survival also appears to have increased in 2025 and 2026, while hunting pressure has declined since 2025, particularly in the Northeast, Northwest, South and Westfjords.