Hunting Capercaillie in Lapland: A childhood dream come true

There are hunts that go beyond the mere pursuit of game - hunts that leave a mark for life. For me, chasing capercaillie in the vast wilderness of Swedish Lapland was one of those defining adventures.

It wasn’t just a hunting trip; it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. The capercaillie had long been more than a bird to me - it was the emblem of the company where I worked for 15 years, a symbol of strength, wilderness, and adaptation. Meeting it on its home ground was something I had imagined for years.

When I finally set foot in Lapland, I knew I was about to live through an extraordinary experience. But nothing could have prepared me for what was to come.

Written by: Härkila Ambassador Philippe Lavit

Into the Lapland wilderness

Lapland takes hold of you instantly. Endless snowfields stretching to the horizon, vast pine forests standing silent under their winter coat, and the crisp sound of skis on frozen ground - everything here breathes wilderness.

I quickly realized this hunt would be as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. The guides, true masters of this land, read the forest like an open book. Their knowledge was humbling: knowing where to look, how to interpret the faintest signs, when to push forward, and when to wait. Without them, this adventure would have been impossible.

But the weather was against us. Strangely warm for the season, it made the birds nearly invisible. Day after day we pushed deeper into the forest, only to be met with silence. Each evening, returning empty-handed, the tension grew. Would this dream slip away before I could make it real?

Hunting on skis: A test of body and mind

I am far from being an expert on skis, and that became obvious very quickly. Moving through Lapland’s deep snow on skis is a challenge in itself - add a rifle and hunting gear, and the effort doubles. Every climb, every fall, every awkward movement reminded me that this hunt was no easy undertaking.

Yet that very difficulty made the experience even richer. Each push forward, each long glide over untouched snow carried a sense of purpose. This wasn’t just hunting - it was an initiation, a way of earning the chance to meet one of Europe’s most elusive game birds.

Blending into the white: My Härkila camouflage

In this vast frozen world, blending into the snow is essential. My Härkila white camouflage clothing became my greatest ally. Beyond comfort and warmth, it gave me the confidence to move silently and remain unseen, even in the open.

When you had to walk without skis for the final meters of stalking, sometimes in a full meter of fresh snow, you truly appreciated smart details like the shoe-to-trouser attachment that prevented snow from filling your boots.

In such unforgiving conditions, gear is not a luxury - it’s part of your success.

The last day: A lifelong dream realized

Days went by, each one testing my patience and determination. And then, almost when hope was beginning to fade, it happened - on the very last day.

First, a close meeting with a black grouse, followed by the moment I had been waiting for all my life: standing face to face with the capercaillie. After so much effort, so many doubts, and so many miles in the snow, the encounter was overwhelming.

Pulling the trigger was more than a hunting act - it was the realization of a dream I had carried since childhood.

A dream fulfilled

Looking back, this hunt was far more than a trip north. It was a true adventure - physical, emotional, and deeply personal. The silence of Lapland, the endless snow, the wisdom of the guides, and the challenge of the birds made it unforgettable.

Hunting the capercaillie in its natural kingdom was a privilege, and doing so with the right equipment made all the difference.

Lapland gave me more than a trophy. It gave me a memory for life - a dream of a child finally fulfilled under the northern sky.

Watch the full adventure on YouTube

You can relive this adventure on my channel Feliew Chasse (Hunting), divided into 4 episodes:

Episode 1 , Episode 2 , Episode 3 below and Episode 4