A Reader’s Report: Harpa’s hunting and fishing trip to Greenland

We want to thank our reader, Harpa Hlín Þórðardóttir, from Iceland, for sending us her story.

I just came back from an adventure tour, fishing and hunting to Greenland. But I am hardly back yet – in my mind I am still there. The tour was unforgetable, I experienced new feelings and longings and became closer to nature than before.

I flew in to Narsarsuaq, S-West Greenland and from there I sailed to Lax-a camp which is in appr. 2 -3 hours distance from the airport. In the afternoon I went flyfishing for char close to the camp. The Arctic Char fishing is amazing in Greenland, there are just so many of them there and in good sizes; up to 10 lbs or more. There are endless fishing possibilities but the small lake by the camp is very productive.

Next morning I was picked up by my guides, Otto and Inuteq (father and son) who are without a doubt the best hunters in South Greenland. They are inuites who live on the land and sea. It is so amazing to watch them, they are a part of their country and know the ocean, land and the animal life so well. They can spot a seal in the ocean miles away and can immediately tell you what type of seal, how big it is and if it is in the right size to shoot. I learned a lot from beeing with them. And I admire their way of living and how wholesome and kind they are. They do not speak any English but we still managed to communicate and they are very funny and kind people.

In Greenland there are hardly any roads so all transportation is by boat, we started scouting for reindeers in the morning and we quickly came across a small herd.

We found them to small so we kept looking. Not more than an hour after we started we found a group of 5 trophy reindeers on a small island. We started chasing them and lost them at first, then we got them in our sights and luckily I managed to shoot the largest one in the group which later turned out to be the largest trophy deer shot this season.

This was my first reindeer, so I took a bite from the liver to “celibrate.” A warm “sushi“ liver is not the most tasty thing I have had but in the excitement I would have eaten anything.

We took the animal to a local slaughterhouse where skin, meat and horns are prepared and from there we sailed up to a glacier where Otto and Inuteq offered me to try to shoot a seal.

There are plenty of seals in Greenland which are shot for their skin and meat so all of the animal is used. Well, it is quite a challenge shooting a seal from a boat. You never know where it comes up and it stays up for no more then a minute or so.

I first tried to lay down in the boat to shoot but that did not go all that well since the boat is rocking, but when I stood I managed to get it. As taking two animals in the same day was not enough, I ended the day by catching a beautiful cod in the ocean on an old handline and got my hands all cut up. I did not mind it a bit, feeling high on life and nature and enjoying s the BEST catch day in my life. A day I will always remember.

At the camp we had a great big barbeque with the catch of the day: a cod, seal and a reindeer.

For the rest of the days we went visiting local villages, fishing more char and cod and tried out for some Atlantic salmon which we saw jumping in the ocean. We lost one, but we will have to come back for those.

Greenland has captured my heart and I can not wait going back. ~  Harpa Hlín Þórðardóttir

If you would care to share a story about your adventures outdoors, please drop us a line and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!

 

 

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  About The WON

  The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON →