Bird Hunting

  
Puffin hunting has played an important role in the lives of Westmann Islander. Puffin catching is allowed during the summer for a period of about six weeks.  During this period Puffins are caught on all the islands in the archipelago.
Men usually spend serveral days hunting at a time on the outer islands, and during this period are quite self-sufficient, because almost all of the islands are equipped with a "hunting cabin".

Puffins are caught with "fledges", nets attached to the ends of long poles. Other methods of catching Puffins today are not considered as good sportsmanship. Only the immature birds and non-breeders that circle above the cliffs are caught.
The breeding birds that fly directily to and from their holes are left to feed their young. As food, puffins used to prepared fresh, smoked or salted, and were a very important source of food for the islanders. In addition, the feathers were used to make bedding.
With changes in eating customs, puffins ceased to be as important for eating as they once were. However, they continue to be a very necessary part of the menu for the islanders at their annual festival.
In fact, many people today see Puffins as more of a festive symbol than as a source of food. In the past, annual trips used to be made to the island known asknown as Súlnasker to hunt gannets.
Súlnasker is where the second largest colony of gannets in Icelandic waters nests, the largest colony being found on Eldey, off the south west coast of Iceland. Fresh Gannet was considered a special treat, but gannet was also salted for winter consumption.
The Northern Fulmar was another important source of food. This was salted and smoked in order to preserve the meat for the winter.