Game and forests in harmony: Hohe Jagd & Fischerei drives forward nature conservation and climate protection

Enthusiastic visitors at the "Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei" 2024
© Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei/FRB Media

The Alpine region’s largest hunting fair is a major fixture for all hunters, fishermen and nature enthusiasts. “This year’s Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei trade fair again demonstrated the great enthusiasm for hunting, fishing and nature, underlining the show’s significance as a marketplace, source of inspiration – and as a gathering for the entire Danube-Alps-Adriatic region,” explains Ivo Sklenitzka, CEO of RX Austria. In her welcoming address, Claudia Plakolm, State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery, emphasised the valuable role of hunting and fishing, for the environment and for society: “Across Austria, around 130,000 people work in the service of nature, especially in the preservation of our native forests. They are indispensable to nature conservation and maintenance in our country.”

Marlene Svazek, Deputy Governor of Salzburg, oversaw the official opening, and added: “We hunters are the oldest nature conservation organisation there is. We don't just talk about nature conservation. We protect what is on our doorstep, in our regions.”

Max Mayr-Melnhof, President of Jagd Österreich (Hunting Austria) and the State of Salzburg’s Master Huntsman, sees the greatest potential in educating the public; familiarising more people with hunting and its related activities. “We need to mobilise all hunters to go out and wear their green hunting apparel with pride. There is very good training and education for hunters, and it’s our duty to spread this knowledge.” Hans Berger, 1^st Chairman of the Berchtesgaden Land District Hunting Association, adds: “The biggest challenge faced at the moment is forest reorganisation and the adapted game populations caused by climate change. Hunters, farmers and forestry managers all need to pull together here.”

In addition to the issues of knowledge transfer and climate protection, the topic of digital progress was everywhere in the expo halls. With a view to the future, Reinhold Sodia, Managing Director of Sodia Jagdwaffen, envisions technical changes in hunting practices. “Among other things, there is increasing pressure on nature caused by recreational activities – changing the behaviour of the animals. Consequently, new technologies will be required for hunting”. Florian Kreissl, Head of Sales Austria at Swarovski Optik Vertriebs GmbH, is also convinced: “Although hunting is steeped in tradition, in future digitalisation will have a growing influence as technical features play an ever-increasing role in hunting activities.”

The four-day trade fair, held in the exhibition area, and on a total of five stages, presented a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and developments in hunting and fishing. In particular crowds were attracted by the ‘Hohe Jagd x Weidwerk’ stage and its supporting programme. Stefanie Remiasch, Product Manager at RX Austria, believed it was important to increase the variety available to visitors compared to the previous edition. “Exhibitors were given even greater visibility via the expansion and reorganisation of the areas presenting fishing and dogs. Similarly, we are delighted the new offerings, such as Hunt on Demand and the climbing workshops organised by the Austrian Federal Forests, were so well received by the public.” The popularity of numerous traditional programme items such as the Red Fox Award – in honour of the best furriers in the country, and the Austrian deer calling championships, was also reconfirmed. Andreas Ott, Head of Operations, was able to draw a positive summary: “Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei continued to trend this year, exceeding expectations that had already been high.”

The exhibitors at the trade fair were very pleased, too. National and international companies exhibiting here were particularly impressed by the great interest and purchasing power at the event. “Every year we are positively surprised by the quality of the visitors. We participate in several other trade fairs around Europe. However, the visitors attending in Austria - and especially at the 'Hohe Jagd & Fischerei' – are always particularly pleasant,” says Martin Fehringer, Sales Manager at Steyr Arms. Wolfgang Holzinger, CEO of GTML Global Trading Marketing Logistics GmbH, also appreciates the trade fair: “It’s a valuable tool and communication platform we believe is the most attractive and stylish in the German-speaking world. It has a very likeable character.”

As well as exciting exhibitors, ‘Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ also generated enthusiasm among the public. Many of the over forty thousand visitors came to discover new products available for the upcoming hunting and fishing seasons, to compare the products on display, and to discuss various topics with like-minded people.

A recently published study for the year 2023, produced by the Austrian Fishing Association (ÖFG), in cooperation with the Austrian Board of Trustees for Fisheries and Water Protection (ÖKF), and the Association of Austrian Workers' Fishing Associations (VOEAFV), projected that 690,000 Austrians would either go fishing themselves, or be involved in fishing that year. “As a sport, fishing is developing very positively. Fishing generates between 600 and 800 million euros a year in Austria, so it is of great economic importance,” says Franz Kiwek, President of the Austrian Fishing Association.

As many hunting grounds include bodies of water licensed for fishing, Robert Stroh, owner and managing director of Robert Stroh Flyfishing, is in favour of further expanding the fishing section of ‘Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’. 

Next year ‘Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ is scheduled take place again from the 20^th to the 23^rd of February 2025 at Messezentrum Salzburg. As in 2023, the next edition of the show will be hosting the European Taxidermy Championships from the 17^th to the 23^rd February 2025.

“What impresses us in particular is that the visitors at 'Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei' represent a great cross-section of all population groups - from professional to hobby hunters, and territory leaseholders. We all talk as equals, and that’s something we really appreciate.”
- Dominic Waldner, Managing Director Blaser Group

“This Salzburg trade fair has established itself on the European market. Some visitors come a very long way to be here. There’s a great atmosphere at the 'Hohe Jagd & Fischerei' and all the exhibitors are at the top of their game. That’s what counts the most!”
- Josef Prommegger, Sales, Bayerwald GmbH

“In recent years, fishing has grown markedly in popularity. Especially during the pandemic, many people discovered the joys of fishing for themselves.”
- Martin Winkler, Sales Manager, Wasserburg am Inn Fishing Centre

For further inquiries

Katharina Trost
Content & PR Manager
+43-676-82323105
[email protected]
www.rxglobal.com