Protected Areas and Wild Reindeer

Suldal is the second-largest municipality in Rogaland, covering an area of 1735 km2, most of which consists of mountains, forests, and wilderness. The high mountain region in Suldal municipality is often referred to as the "Suldalsheiane" and is part of the Setesdal Vesthei and Ryfylkeheiane mountain area. Here, you will find the highest peak in Rogaland, Vassdalseggi, standing at 1658.2 meters above sea level. Other magnificent peaks include Snønuten (1604 meters above sea level) and Mælen (1574 meters above sea level). In total, Suldal municipality is home to five out of the seven highest peaks in Rogaland.

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Approximately one-fourth of the municipality's area is protected, with a total of 14 large and small protected areas in Suldal. One of the key features of the landscape conservation areas in Suldal is the wild reindeer, which the "Dyraheio Landscape Conservation Area" is named after. Norway is the only country in Europe with a viable population of wild reindeer. Previously, wild reindeer were found throughout the country, but hydropower development, roads, cabin construction, and other factors have fragmented and restricted their habitat. Today, there are a total of 23 areas in the country with wild reindeer, and the high mountains in Suldal are part of one of the most important and southernmost areas. This means that those of us who live in or visit this area have a special responsibility to tread carefully in the wild reindeer's home.

The large landscape conservation areas in the mountains are well-equipped with trail networks and cabins managed by the Stavanger Tourist Association. Among them are notable structures such as the oldest cabin of the Stavanger Tourist Association, Bleskestadmoen, dating back to 1895, the award-winning Jonstøl cabin from 2015, and the popular Stranddalshytta, often referred to as the "Pearl of Ryfylkeheiane."

A separate conservation area board has been established across municipal and county borders to manage the landscape conservation areas. You can learn more about their work at svr.no.

Good Etiquette and Guidelines

1. Show Respect: Respect the natural environment, wildlife, and other people enjoying the outdoors. Keep noise levels to a minimum and avoid disturbing animals or their habitats.
2. Stay on Marked Trails: Stick to designated paths and trails to minimize damage to vegetation and avoid disturbing sensitive areas. Respect any signage or barriers indicating restricted or protected areas.
3. Leave No Trace: Practice "Leave No Trace" principles by carrying out all your trash and disposing of it properly. Leave the environment as you found it, without leaving any traces of your visit.
4. Control Your Pets: If you bring pets along, keep them on a leash and under control at all times. This helps prevent them from disturbing wildlife or other hikers.
5. Camp Responsibly: If you plan to camp in the mountains, choose designated campsites whenever possible. Follow any specific regulations or guidelines for camping in the area and leave the campsite clean and undisturbed.
6. Be Considerate of Hunters: During hunting seasons, be aware of your surroundings and respect the rights of hunters. Wear bright-colored clothing to increase visibility and avoid hiking in areas where hunting is taking place.
7. Learn and Observe Wildlife: If you encounter wild animals, observe them from a distance and do not approach or disturb them. Keep in mind that reindeer are particularly sensitive to disturbances, so maintain a safe distance to ensure their well-being.

Read more on svr.no

Wild Reindeer Hunting

Humans have been hunting wild reindeer for thousands of years, and it remains an important part of our cultural heritage today. Hunting serves as the primary means of population control in wild reindeer areas. In the Suldalsheiane mountains, the hunting season starts on August 20th each year and continues until September 30th.

To hunt wild reindeer, one must pass the hunter's exam, purchase a hunting permit from the relevant landowner, and pay the annual hunting fee. It is also important to familiarize oneself with national and local regulations and guidelines. In Suldal, there are several dedicated hunting teams. Getting in touch with them is often the best way to get started in wild reindeer hunting.

Would you like to know more?

There are several sources of good information about wild reindeer. Here are some of them:

• ‍Villrein.no‍
• Environmental status of Suldal
• SVR.no

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