Course Objectives

Students will receive an introduction to outdoor life with a special emphasis on hunting and fishing activities, which constitutes an important part of the ‘outdoor life’ concept. They will become familiar with the history of outdoor life activities and its relationship to traditional hunting and fishing. In addition, students will gain insight into, and become aware of, the interplay between the practice of outdoor activities, hunting and fishing and the potential and real consequences of these activities for the ecological conditions in the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on a practical introduction to important aspects of hunting, fishing and control as a basis for acquiring a more theoretical understanding of how outdoor activities are dependent upon and may influence the environment.

Course Description

Basic topics:

· The history of outdoor activities: the development of outdoor activities in Norway with its roots in traditional hunting and fishing as a part of a household economy, outdoor activities today.

· Hunting: Historical development of hunting in Norway, natural production, the practice of hunting, aims and organisation of game management, ethical aspects of hunting and fishing, the effect of hunting on the game population, the future of hunting as an outdoor activity.

· Fishing: species which may be fished, productivity, species identification, distribution, cultivation, sport-fishing as an outdoor pursuit and fishing methods.

· Hunting and fishing control: the legal framework, Norwegian property and land-management structure, predator management, practical control.

· Ecological consequences: the selection process for game hunting and fishing, basic population dynamics, vulnerable environments and the effects of traffic and disturbance.

Learning Methods

50 lecture hours.

Obligatory: Five days of field trips. A semester assignment will be submitted for assessment at the end of the semester.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be given for two examinations: a semester assignment will count for 40% and a 3-hour written final examination will count for 60% of the final grade. The excursions must be approved before the student may sit the final examination. The absence rate may not exceed 20%. Both examinations must receive passing marks.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean