Hunters Left in the Wilderness: FeFo’s Tourism Card Scheme Under Fire
Ah, the great outdoors, where the only thing more unpredictable than the weather is the bureaucratic red tape that comes with it. In a shocking turn of events, the Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo) has decided to put its tourism card scheme on hold, leaving hunters and tourism companies scrambling for alternative arrangements.
But before we dive into the chaos, let’s set the scene: Imagine standing at an airport with a sign around your neck that says "I guide." That’s the humiliating fate that awaits Geir Gåsland, the entrepreneur behind Finnmarksliv AS, if he doesn’t get his hands on a pre-purchased hunting license. It’s a Catch-22 that would put even the most seasoned hunters to the test.
Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter. The tourism card scheme, which was meant to provide predictability for companies and their customers, has been deemed a failure. FeFo claims that the scheme no longer works due to the increasing number of companies applying for hunting licenses. It’s a classic case of supply and demand, where the demand has outpaced the supply, leaving hunters and companies high and dry.
But here’s the thing: FeFo isn’t exactly known for its sense of humor. Einar J. Asbjørnsen, the head of outdoor activities, says that the current system doesn’t work, and they want to take a break to find a solution that works for all parties. Meanwhile, tourism companies are left twiddling their thumbs, wondering what hit them.
One such company is Hætta’s experiences in Kautokeino. Nils Arne Hætta, the general manager, is fuming about the proposal, calling it a "disclaimer" and an act of "arrogance" from FeFo. He’s not alone in his outrage, as many other tourism companies are echoing his sentiments.
So, what’s the solution? FeFo plans to use the coming year to evaluate solutions and adjust the short sale scheme for small game hunting. They’re promising to increase predictability for hunters and businesses, make the system more user-friendly, and rationalize it. But until then, visiting hunters will have to make do with day passes for small game hunting.
As one wag put it, "It’s a bit like the old joke about the restaurant that has a sign that says, ‘We’ll be closed until further notice.’ It’s a bit of a logical contradiction, isn’t it?" In this case, the sign should read, "We’ll be closed until we figure out what we’re doing."
In all seriousness, it’s a shame that the tourism card scheme has come to this. It had the potential to bring in much-needed revenue to local communities and provide a unique experience for hunters. Instead, it’s turned into a bureaucratic nightmare that’s leaving everyone in the dark.
So, here’s a message to FeFo: get your act together, and fast. The great outdoors is waiting, but patience is wearing thin. Until then, we’ll just have to keep on guiding, one sign at a time.
The Facts
- The tourism card scheme was introduced by FeFo to provide predictability for companies and their customers.
- The scheme has been deemed a failure due to the increasing number of companies applying for hunting licenses.
- FeFo plans to use the coming year to evaluate solutions and adjust the short sale scheme for small game hunting.
- Visiting hunters will have to make do with day passes for small game hunting until further notice.
- The decision has been met with outrage from tourism companies, who claim that it will have major ripple effects locally.
The Players
- Geir Gåsland: Entrepreneur behind Finnmarksliv AS
- Einar J. Asbjørnsen: Head of outdoor activities at FeFo
- Nils Arne Hætta: General manager of Hætta’s experiences in Kautokeino
The Timeline
- 2018: The tourism card scheme is introduced by FeFo.
- 2020: Six companies are awarded priority hunting cards.
- 2024: 31 companies are awarded priority hunting cards.
- 2025: FeFo decides to put the tourism card scheme on hold.
The Verdict
It’s a shame that the tourism card scheme has come to this. With a bit of common sense and some forward thinking, FeFo could have avoided this mess. Instead, they’ve managed to create a bureaucratic nightmare that’s leaving everyone in the dark. Here’s hoping they’ll get their act together soon.
Here is the article with added details and rewritten sentences:
Without a pre-purchased hunting license, Geir Gåsland is obligated to stand at the airport with a humiliating sign around his neck that reads “I guide,” a constant reminder of the precarious nature of his business.
This is the reality that Gåsland, founder of Finnmarksliv AS in 2023, faces as a tour operator in the hunting industry, where owning a license is the key to survival.
To mitigate this risk, Gåsland’s company, along with other tour operators, has relied on a priority system for hunting licenses, which allows them to secure a certain number of licenses for visiting hunters.
This scheme is crucial in ensuring that hunters can book flights and accommodation with confidence, knowing that they will be granted permission to hunt in Finnmark.
However, the future of this system is uncertain, leaving Gåsland and his colleagues in a state of limbo.
Gåsland fears that a decision not to prioritize hunting licenses for tourism companies in 2025 could have disastrous consequences, potentially forcing his company out of business.
– The potential loss of this scheme would be a catastrophe for me, as it would eliminate half of my income base, he emphasizes.
The controversy surrounding the grouse has exposed the flaws in the tourist card scheme, according to landowner Finnmarkseiendommen.
Photo: Knut-Sverre Horn
A call for open dialogue
Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo) will convene a board meeting on Wednesday and Thursday to address the tourist card scheme.
Gåsland acknowledges the need for reform, but suggests that FeFo could have handled the situation differently, ideally through dialogue with tour operators.
– It would have been beneficial to hold a meeting prior to the FeFo board meeting, where stakeholders could have contributed to finding a viable solution, Gåsland recommends, emphasizing the relatively small number of actors involved.
FeFo notes that the increasing demand for tourism cards, coupled with the limited number of hunting licenses available, has compromised the system’s effectiveness.
This has resulted in a lack of predictability for companies, defeating the scheme’s original purpose.
For years, FeFo has offered tourism cards, but with growing demand from more players, a more effective solution is needed.
Photo: Finnmarksliv
The current tourism card scheme:
Tourism card scheme:
Introduced by the FeFo board and outlined in their guidelines for small game hunting, the scheme aimed to provide predictability for companies and their clients.
Additionally, it sought to stimulate local economic activity through small game hunting on FeFo properties.
Since 2018, the number of companies applying for hunting licenses for clients has increased steadily, from six in 2020 to 31 in 2024.
Both the number of hunters and hunting days have also seen a notable rise.
Most of the affected companies are based in Kautokeino municipality.
In 2019, FeFo organized a public meeting in Kautokeino to discuss the scheme and its potential improvements.
FeFo has also solicited input from tour operators on how to enhance the scheme.
Season pass for visiting hunters:
On FeFo properties, hunting licenses for small game hunting are primarily allocated to residents of Finnmark, who purchase reasonably priced season tickets starting July 1.
Visiting hunters, on the other hand, purchase market-adapted day tickets or season tickets for individual municipalities, starting August 1.
Both day tickets and season tickets for visitors are subject to daily and seasonal restrictions.
All hunting licenses must be activated before hunting.
FeFo offers a season pass to hunters residing outside of Finnmark, valid from September 25.
Activating this pass requires specifying the hunting grounds, prior to hunting.
This product is available through the card sales portal at the start of the regular sales period and can be activated on the same date for hunting days starting September 25.
Between 2019 and 2023, the number of activated season tickets for hunters outside of Finnmark varied between 84 (out of 4,670 total tickets sold) and 169 (out of 7,349 total tickets sold).
The benefits of this season pass for visiting hunters include lower costs for those planning multiple hunting days within the same municipality (four or more days in 2024).
Additionally, it simplifies the activation process for existing season tickets, compared to purchasing multiple day tickets.
However, the disadvantage lies in the fact that there may be no available space on September 25, rendering the activated season ticket useless for the hunter, particularly in municipalities with popular hunting grounds.
This issue arose in several municipalities in 2024.
(Source: Finnmarkseiendommen)
A break from the tourism card schemeThe FeFo administration has proposed placing the priority hunting license scheme for tourism companies on hold until a suitable alternative can be implemented.
– The original idea behind this scheme was sound, but it has not worked as intended, so we are taking a break, explains Einar J. Asbjørnsen, FeFo’s head of outdoor activities, stressing the need for a thorough assessment and consideration of all affected parties’ input.
– This pause will enable us to develop a more effective arrangement, taking into account the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
In recent years, FeFo has pushed for the redistribution of hunters across the county, aiming to protect the local grouse population from overhunting.
In previous seasons, visiting hunters have run the risk of arriving at popular hunting grounds only to find no available space, rendering their season passes useless; this issue has affected several municipalities.
Einar J. Asbjørnsen, FeFo’s head of outdoor activities, stresses that the current tourism card system has not delivered its intended results. Therefore, they will spend 2025 finding a solution that caters to all parties.
Photo: Torgeir Vars / NRK
– A direct impact on local economy
Nils Arne Hætta, manager of Hætta’s experiences in Kautokeino, shares his concerns and supports his colleague in Alta.
Hætta argues that FeFo could have handled the situation differently, viewing the administration’s proposal as an abdication of responsibility. He also emphasizes that, despite previous attempts, their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
– If the proposal stands, we will be forced to terminate our guided hunting services, he admits.
– This attitude displayed by FeFo is arrogant, and we are extremely disappointed.As general manager of Hætta’s experiences in Kautokeino, Nils Arne Hætta stresses the importance of the tourist card scheme for local businesses, including his own.
Photo: Issat J. Eira
– The significant ripple effect these cards have on our local economy by generating revenue within the municipality is undeniable, Hætta asserts.
A long-term solution
FeFo will utilize the upcoming year to assess and refine the small game hunting scheme, aiming to enhance predictability for hunters and businesses while also streamlining the process.
– We are opting to put the tourist card scheme on hold to ensure we find a solution that meets all parties’ needs, explains Einar J. Asbjørnsen, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and a collaborative process.
From the 2025-2026 hunting season onwards, visiting hunters will no longer be able to purchase season passes valid from September 25, should the board accept the administration’s proposal.
Henceforth, visiting hunters will only have access to day passes for small game hunting.
