‘It’s hardly in the spirit of Christmas to shoot Rudolph’: Anger as wealthy trophy hunters pay to shoot wild reindeer in Norway
- Hendry, Ramsay and Waters, based in Fife, offer wild reindeer hunting in Norway
- Grisly pictures in their brochure show bloodied white fur and antlers held aloft
- League Against Cruel Sports say not in the ‘spirit of Christmas to shoot Rudolph’
- There are some 200,000 wild reindeer in Norway and hunting them is legal
Anti-hunting campaigners have been outraged by wealthy trophy hunters paying to shoot reindeer in Norway.
Scottish field sports outfit, Hendry, Ramsay and Waters, based in Fife, are offering reindeer bull and cow shooting from August to September in Norwegian national parks.
Grisly pictures online show hunters posing with the festive creatures, white fur bloodied and their majestic antlers held aloft.
Nick Weston, from the League Against Cruel Sports, told The Daily Star: ‘It’s hardly in the spirit of Christmas to shoot Rudolph, is it?
A huntsman holds a reindeer in the snowy wilds of the Norwegian north during an outing organised by Fife-based Hendry, Ramsay and Waters
Nick Weston, from the League Against Cruel Sports, said: ‘It’s hardly in the spirit of Christmas to shoot Rudolph, is it?’ (pictured: hunters pose with reindeer)
‘There is no justification for shooting animals for fun at any time of the year, but to celebrate Christmas by killing Santa’s reindeer doesn’t really keep with the season of goodwill.
‘When will we learn that animals are not commodities and give them the gift of life instead of needlessly killing them?’
The hunting agency’s website says: ‘We are pleased to be able to offer Moose and trophy Reindeer hunting in the North Eastern part of Norway.
‘Hunting traditions are strong and have been for many generations. Today we hunt moose and reindeer here, but it is also possible to hunt capercaillie, red and roe deer, bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx during some parts of the season.’
One of the festive creatures, white fur bloodied and its majestic antlers held aloft by a rifle-wielding hunter
As well as Norway, Hendry, Ramsay and Waters offers shooting in Scotland, England, France, Spain, Africa and Argentina.
The company recently held its ‘Brexit Cup 2019’ shooting event and regularly comments on politics on its Facebook page, referencing the socioeconomic benefits of hunting.
One recent post shows a private jet at the local runway, saying: ‘Here we go again. Wealthy sportsmen bringing good and badly needed income into rural Scotland. Wake up and smell the coffee politicians.’
A pair of hunters pose beside their kill. Hendry, Ramsay and Waters describe hunting in the Norwegian wilderness as a breathtaking experience, particularly for those unused to stalking in the snow
Reindeer hunting in Norway is reserved for rifles only and by law a minimum calibre of 6.5×55 is required.
Hendry, Ramsay and Waters describe hunting in the Norwegian wilderness as a breathtaking experience, particularly for those unused to stalking in the snow.
In addition, wild reindeer have been hunted in region since the Ice Age and their population of around 200,000 puts them at no risk of extinction.