An Unforgettable Real Hunt Experience
I’m writing this after one of the most unforgettable hunting adventures of my life. In a world where hunting can sometimes feel more about appearances—photos and posturing—this trip reminded me of what a real hunt is truly about and why I fell in love with it in the first place.
A Nordic Tradition of Respect
This moment, for me, was a connection to the deep respect found in Nordic hunting traditions. It’s so different from Spain, the country I proudly call home.
A Memorable Start: Kids Learning to Hunt
One image sticks with me: when we arrived at our hunting cabin, I saw a bus of kids heading back to nearby villages. I asked our guides what they were doing, and they explained that these kids were on a school trip, learning how to hunt caribou, prepare the meat, use the hides, and respect the mountains and animals. (Maybe we should suggest this to our ministers!)
The Bond Between Espen and Diva
This was my second time hunting in Norway. The first trip was special, but this time, I want to focus on our guide, Espen, and Diva, his amazing dog. If animal rights activists or anti-hunters saw the bond between them, they’d be as moved as I was.
A Simple Yet Powerful Gesture
Our day started with packing snacks for the mountain trek—Diva even had her own snack pack! After hours of walking, it started to rain. Espen took out the plastic to protect the meat and also sheltered Diva from the rain. It might sound simple, but it showed the deep trust they shared.
Tracking the Caribou: A Real Hunt Begins
Dense fog surrounded us, and visibility was almost zero. I suggested we head back to the cabin and rest for the next day, but Espen asked, “Do you want to be the first Spaniard to track a caribou?” Even though I wasn’t sure, I agreed.
Diva led us for kilometers, tracking caribou herds and getting us close enough to make the hunt. Luckily, we had a cameraman with us, and he’ll soon release documentaries showing everything I’m trying to describe.
After trekking over 23 km, Diva finally led us to a group of caribou. One old caribou stood out with its distinctive, regressive antlers. Diva stood on her hind legs, signaling that we were close, even though the fog made it impossible to see. Following her lead, we moved forward until we were just 30 meters from the caribou. He had a white beard, dark antlers, and was exactly the one we had been tracking.
A True Hunter’s Respect
Once the caribou was down, we treated the moment with deep respect. Even though we were still 10 km from the cabin, we made sure to pack up every bit of meat. The trek back was long, but our priority wasn’t celebrating—it was preparing the meat and hides, no matter how late it was.
This real hunt deserves every word I’ve written. We ended the adventure by enjoying the fruits of our labor—carpaccio of the old caribou, grilled steaks, and cloudberry dessert.
Thank you, Espen, Diva, and my friend Ole, for making this real hunt one I’ll never forget.
Sergio, Guide
