Rick Kennerknecht has been nominated for an SCI Major Award for the 2006-2007 Season for his Gold Medal Icelandic Reindeer in the Rifle Category with the Icelandic Hunting Club.

Reindeer hunting in Iceland is an exclusive hunting experience. The Icelandic reindeer population is just over 3000 animals. The Icelandic reindeer was brought to Iceland from Hardangervidda, a mountain range in Norway, around 1780. Since then, they have developed by natural selection to survive the Icelandic winter that is considerably harsher than in Norway.

The Icelandic reindeer only live in the wild and there have never been any domesticated reindeer in Iceland. On average, there are only 600-800 hunting licenses issued yearly and most of them are allocated to Icelandic resident hunters.

Reindeer Hunting Season: Special Early Stag Season: July 15th thru July 31st – Stag only. Stags cannot be in the presence of any cow or calf during this early season.  There is 24 Hours of daylight during July. Balance of Reindeer Season is August 1st until September 15th. The prime hunting period is from August 1st until August 20th.  The reindeer are in velvet until August 15th. 

Guides: We offer the best professional Icelandic reindeer guides available. The guides live on the east coast of Iceland and know the hunting grounds like the palm of their hands. Our guides have been hunting and guiding Iceland Reindeer hunts for over 30 years in this area

Accommodation: Accommodations during the hunt are in warm and comfortable lodges. All modern amenities such as hot water, showers, toilets, heating, etc are available in these cabins.

2008 Pricing

Included:  Icelandic hunting license, weapon license, all transportation in Iceland,one professional guide and a 4 x 4 vehicle / boat for every two or three hunters, all equipment necessary during the hunt, except clothing and firearms and full board and lodging from arrival until departure.

Not included: preparation and shipment of trophy according to customer wishes, ammunition if rifles are provided by the outfitter, alcoholic beverages, extra days in Reykjavik and international flights. Excess baggage charges on domestic flights.

A standard reindeer hunting program consists of six days, thereof four full days of hunting for groups of 2-3. A 1x1 hunt consists of five days, thereof three full days of hunting. However, itinerary can be tailored to special wishes if booking availability allows.

Day 1: You will arrive in the afternoon at Keflavik International Airport where you will be met by the outfitter. The outfitter will clear your weapons (if you prefer to bring your own) through customs and then transfer you to Reykjavik domestic airport. After a one hour flight you will land at Egilsstadir, a small town on the east coast of Iceland. There your guide will be waiting for you with a comfortable 4WD vehicle.

Day 2: After a good night’s sleep and breakfast you take off early to the hunting grounds. If necessary we hunt until dusk and then return to our hunting lodge for dinner. Meals during the day will be boxed lunches.

Day 3-4: We wake up early for breakfast and then hunt all day and then return to our hunting lodge.

Day 5: Again we rise early if all our hunters have not already got their trophies.

Day 6: Transfer from the Reykjavik hotel to Keflavik International Airport, to your final destination, a safe return to your home after a successful hunt in the Icelandic wilderness.

Bringing back your trophy: Your trophy will be prepared at the end of the trip to bring back home when you depart Iceland. We will supply you with all of the documentation from the Icelandic Government for safe importation into the US or your home Country. We can also have it shipped to your taxidermist if you wish at an extra fee.

NOTE: Due to the unique nature of this hunt, all reservations and availability will be on a first booked basis.  Any reservations received on or after February 8, 2008 will have to wait till the 2009 Season – There are No Exceptions - this is regulated by the Icelandic Government.  If you are interested in this hunt, please contact Rick Kennerknecht toll-free at (888)850-4868, Ext. 3 or (307)235-4650, Ext. 3 to reserve your 2008 Hunt.

Late August Reindeer Hunts can possibly be combined with extended Icelandic Pinkfooted Goose Hunts.  Tags filled early may have the opportunity to go salmon fishing, time and weather permitting.

IcelandAir:  Just 4 Hours by air from Boston, 5 Hours from JFK and 6 Hours from Minneapolis.  IcelandAir is the only major airline serving Iceland.

Baggage:  Try and keep your baggage weight limit to 60-70 pounds to avoid any excess baggage charges on domestic flights in Iceland (not included in price)