The young couple, Alma & Gunnar, are not only sharing their life, but also
their passion for hunting. For the CLOSER magazine, they put their personal
thoughts and profound convictions about hunting on paper.
THE WELLBEING AND EXISTENCE OF WILDERNESS
are the pillars of all our hopes and dreams. Being alone in the wilderness is a reminder that your everyday issues are just a tiny fragment of it all. You feel so small compared to the rest of humanity, to the rest of living things, not to mention the earth itself. But you also get this strange humble feeling that makes you feel a part of it all, a feeling that makes you complete. There is nothing quite like it.
IT’S OF COURSE
EASIER SAID THAN DONE,
but these are problems which can almost fully be resolved by going back to basics: eating the clean and non-processed foods we used to eat, sharing quality time with our loved ones, and being outside in nature instead of spending all our free time on the couch watching TV.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
AND HUNTING IS KEY.
What matters is what are we going to do with our time here to make sure that our fertile planet Earth keeps on giving for generations to come.
WE CANNOT CONTROL
THE ELEMENTS
we cannot control other human beings, their feelings or their actions, but we can control ourselves. And through leading by example and sharing our story, we can hopefully influence others to think about what they can do for the planet’s recovery.
FOR OUR FAMILY,
BEING OUTSIDE IN NATURE
is a part of life. Hunting is our way of reconnecting with nature. It requires showing respect to Mother Nature and to always being mindful and ethical to the best of your abilities. There are no second chances, no pause or rewind. You have to always be right there in the moment. Hunting is the perfect excuse to spend time outside.
THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE
we face while hunting is without a doubt the weather. It can change from good to bad to a storm in a matter of minutes all year round. We have to enter a certain state of mind when we’re out the door: respect Mother Nature. Another challenge is the island itself: steep rocky hills, cracks from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, glacial rivers, hidden caves in lava fields, mountain ranges, wet sand (quicksand), spring rivers.
TOTAL WILDERNESS
AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.
You are out there, alone with the elements, and you have to rely on yourself and your hunting partner(s). ‘Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst’ is a cliché but it really applies to our way of life. It can make the difference between life and death.
About the authors Alma & Gunnar
While Gunnar was born into a family of hunters and killed geese for Christmas dinner at the age of nine, Alma only held a weapon in her hand for the first time at the age of 24. For the young Icelanders, who make their living as ambassadors for a hunting outfitter and as arctic fox hunters, hunting is not just about access to the cleanest food sources or the thrill. For them, hunting is a conscious way of life.
Find out more about Alma and Gunnar’s world at www.huntingiceland.net or follow the pair on Instagram: instagram.com/hunting_iceland
When they are out hunting,
Alma and Gunnar rely on SWAROVSKI OPTIK products: Gunnar uses the X5i 5-25x56 P L, while Alma prefers the Z8i 2.3-18x56 P L. For observation, they turn to the EL Range 10x42 W B and ATX 25-60x65.
INSIDER TIPS
ICELAND
This island in the North Atlantic is home to 335,000 people, of whom almost 198,000 live in the Reykjavík area. With just three inhabitants per square mile, Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. It lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American continental plates. Its unique location results in natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
DINING
GRAND BRASSERIE
Úlfar Finnbjörnsson runs the restaurant at the Grand Hótel Reykjavík. His fame as a game chef has spread far beyond the shores of his home island.
GRILLMARKAÐURINN
This stylish restaurant serves local fish, game, lamb, horsemeat, and beef and is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Reykjavík.
VOX
The brasserie at the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica serves local fish and game specialties in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere.
SLEEPING
ACCOMMODATION FOR EXPLORERS
NORTHERN LIGHT INN
The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, is located just a 45-minute drive from the capital, in the middle of a lava field. From the cozy Northern Light Inn you can be bathing in the stunning blue waters of the geothermal spa in just two minutes.
HÓTEL BÚÐIR
If you are heading north-west to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, we recommend staying in this country house hotel, beautifully situated on a secluded bay.
VILLA LOLA
This modern timber apartment block in the northeast of the island, near the town of Akureyri, is the perfect spot to enjoy the untamed beauty of nature.