wild life in Norway
 

Hello !

I jus want someone to confirm me if there is no danger to do some camping in scandinavia (Norway) ......I suppose there is no grizzly.....but what about, black or polar bear....?

Thank you

Frank

There are no problems camping in Norway from large preditors. In Sweden and possibly some areas of Norway there are "some" brown bears but you're very unlikely to see one even if you're camping wild in the forests as they're in a very small area. There are wolves and lynx too but the same applies.

The major wildlife hazard is Moose (elk). They have a habit of wandering into the road. I've seen the aftermath of a collision with a car so the thought of hitting one with a bike doesn't bare thinking about. I always keep off the roads late in the evening.

Very rarely do polar bears make it south to Norway but they are occasionally seen in the very far north in Finnmark.

Enjoy your camping in Norway, it's a wonderful country.

Ahem - Polar bears in Finnmark? Ah, you must refer to that dead one on display in Hammerfest? Seriously, only in Svalbard, which is an isolated group of islands near the North Pole, will you ever encounter polar bears on Norwegian soil. There has been rumour about a polar bear in Finnmark which supposedly came over on a rogue ice flake, but that's a rumour with the same connotation to Norwegians in the north as the Big Foot is to the Americans or fairies to the Brits.

In my 40 years living out- and indoors in the south and north of Norway I have never encountered any dangerous animals. Have fun!

Oh, and check out my site or country info here on HU on how to travel the inexpensive way in Norway!

Wild camping is fine
 

I've just come back from three weeks in Norway, Finland, Sweden & Denmark.

I wildcamped in all these countries (though 'wildcamping' generally meant just pulling off the road at a likely-looking spot.) That's from southern Denmark all the way up to Nordkapp.

I never encountered any hassle from wildlife or locals, except for the myggs. I did hear the odd rustling outside the tent at night but never got up to investigate.

The moose wander around at any time of the day so be watchful, especially around forests and the further north you go. I slammed on the brakes a couple of times.

Enjoy your trip - I had a blast.

Indoors.

Thank a lot

so...beautiful landsape, beautiful girls:cool4:, no dangers ...it's the paradise up there , I can't wait longer to see this contry ...

thank you

FranK

Indu - I'm looking to drive up through Norway (wild camping) and I'm hoping to do a bit of fishing along the way. Seems I may need a licence - or is that just for Norwegians?

You need to buy a licence to fish in rivers and lakes but in the ocean you don't.

Hi, Elbert is right. Hunting and fishing in lakes and rivers is not included in the Freedom of Access Act. Fishing is seawater is, on the other hand (except for salmon and sea trout).

You can read more about the rules governing fishing in Norway here

fishing
 

Hello !

thank for your reply again...you make me consider an option that I've never thought before...fishing.. I have absolutely no experience in this, but there a beginning to all ....

again I'm always planing for the worst that could possibly happen (and hoping for the best)

Is there some poison fish that you shouldn't eat?

Is september a good season to catch some trout or salmon?


Frank

No, the cool arctic seawater keeps the bad guys away :-) The fish you get in lakes, rivers and in the sea are all eatable. In the lakes and rivers you are most likely to catch perch, trout and pike (pike needs some preparation though) + a couple of others I don't know the English word for. In the sea you'll most probably catch codfish, coalfish and perhaps the odd mackerel.

Legally you can fish all year round as long as you use only a rod (except for salmon and sea trout). I'm not much of a fisherman myself so I don't have the details regarding seasons for the different types of fish. If there are specific seasons for specific fish I'm sure you'll be informed when buying the local fishing license.

Be carefull about the moose and reindeer though.

My trip ended in Finland with a smashed up bike, a girlfriend with a broken wrist and lots of other problems after a moose ran out in front of me. This happened 2 months ago.

Funny thing is that moose are pretty shy and you dont see them often. We haden't seen any on the trip and were actually a bit sad about that (-:

In the north there are an incredible amount of stupid reindeer on the roads. they really don't get the concept of trafic, so be carefull.

[QUOTE=frankkyboy;203607]Hello !

thank for your reply again...you make me consider an option that I've never thought before...fishing.. I have absolutely no experience in this, but there a beginning to all ....

again I'm always planing for the worst that could possibly happen (and hoping for the best)

Is there some poison fish that you shouldn't eat?

Is september a good season to catch some trout or salmon?


Frank[/QUOTE/

Polar bears? Poison fish? whatever will you think of next?

mmmmmmm........ What about Aliens abduction ?:innocent:



p.s. Thank you again for the reply before

Frank

Wild life in Norway
 

Hi Frank, please don't worry about bears, wolves or poisonous snakes. You will be very lucky to see any of them. On the other hand, we do have some creatures who will be very happy to see you - our mosquitos (mygg) and ticks (flått). They can be a real pest, and some ticks can give you a nasty illness (borrelia or Lymes disease).
Above mentioned elk, deer, reindeer, cattle and sheep on the road are a real danger. keep your speed down and enjoy the scenary. There is no logic to their behavior, should you encounter one (or more) steer behind the animal, they tend to run foreward rather than turn, but there are no garantees.
Part of the experience of biking in Norway is wild camping, see Ali Babas impressive Norway guide. I assume you are from an urban area in Canada, maybe you could train a bit in your own wilderness to find what works for you.
Hope you enjoy your trip to Norway

Peter, Oslo

"Too much of a good thing....is just wonderful" Mae West

correction
 

correction to above message. The guy who has made the impressive guide to budget-travel in Norway is called Indu. Check it out. Ali Baba is a very knowledgable fellow, but didn't do the travel info.
Peter, in Oslo