Europe’s largest searching present leaves folks extremely happy – and searching ahead to 2026
After six various and thrilling days, JAGD & HUND drew to a detailed on Sunday night (2 February). This yr’s JAGD & HUND viewers was handled over 700 exhibitors from 36 completely different nations. There was additionally an intensive supporting programme, thrilling competitions, culinary highlights and loads of hands-on alternatives to hitch in and take a look at issues out. What’s extra, the massive variety of worldwide associations represented on the commerce truthful as soon as once more made it an necessary platform for dialogue on searching coverage. The outcome was over 90% satisfaction amongst exhibitors and guests, all of whom have already got agency plans to attend JAGD & HUND 2026.
Dortmund, 4 February 2025 – Along with all this excellent news, there was additionally a rise in customer numbers. Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, can’t assist however look again on the present with satisfaction: “We’ve proven as soon as once more this yr that Dortmund in January is THE assembly place for the worldwide searching and outside group. That is confirmed not solely by the various guests from all federal states – above all from Decrease Saxony, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. But additionally by the truth that once more round 10% of this yr’s friends have been from overseas. As soon as once more, we’ve been in a position to provide guests not only a distinctive number of merchandise, but additionally an excessive amount of added worth – from unique exhibition provides and buying zones to thrilling present occasions, competitions and culinary highlights, to not point out an unbelievable number of professional information which was out there to all on the present within the type of every part from canine breed demonstrations and attention-grabbing on-stage shows to reviews on the work being executed by associations and our model new masterclasses. Finally, it’s this combine that’s made JAGD & HUND an actual recipe for fulfillment, and but we’re persevering with to work on it with the intention to honour the loyalty the group has proven us once more this yr. I’m wanting ahead to seeing everybody once more in 2026.”
Grand opening
The opening occasion on Day 1 of the present was attended by high-ranking personalities within the business and on this planet of political decision-making, whose presence served to stress the significance of JAGD & HUND. The keynote tackle was given by Dr Martin Berges, Everlasting Secretary on the North Rhine Westphalia State Ministry of Agriculture & Shopper Safety. “Hunters make necessary contributions to efforts geared toward creating wholesome, numerous recreation populations and the safety of our forests,” he emphasised on the primary stage in Corridor 4. “It’s subsequently necessary that hunters, anglers and nature lovers proceed to really feel at dwelling right here in North Rhine Westphalia, and that we give them an excellent total framework inside which to function. We need to help the searching group and our forest homeowners with a view to discovering options collectively. Good communication is vital to this, as a result of dialogue is the one technique to carry on engaged on present points and create good prospects.”
Nicole Heitzig, President of the State Looking Affiliation of North Rhine Westphalia, gave the opening speech as normal, with phrases of welcome additionally coming from Karl Walch, President of the Working Gundog Affiliation, and Norbert Schilff, Mayor of Dortmund. Worldwide affiliation representatives Dr Steffen Koch, Head of the German delegation of the CIC – Worldwide Council for Sport and Wildlife Conservation – and Laurens Hoedemaker, President of FACE – Federation of Associations for Looking and Conservation of the EU – additionally spoke.
Sabine Loos was additionally delighted to welcome high-ranking personalities from Africa who had made their technique to Dortmund. As final yr, these included Isaac Theophilus, CEO of the Botswana Wildlife Producers Affiliation, accompanied by James Tebogo from the NCONGO (Ngamiland Council Of Non-Governmental Organisations) in addition to Tinashe Farawo, press spokesman of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks). John-Thomas Dipowe, Ambassador of Botswana, Zimbabwean Ambassador Alice Mashingaize and Udo Wolters, the Honorary Consul of Namibia, travelled from Berlin.
James Tebogo and Isaac Theophilus spent a number of days on the present, saying: “We lengthen our heartfelt due to the organizers of the JAGD & HUND 2025 for his or her distinctive hospitality as we proudly signify Botswana. We additionally acknowledge the presence of the Ambassadors of Botswana and Zimbabwe in Germany, whose participation underscores our shared dedication to enhancing conservation efforts alongside the KAZA corridors. As Botswana’s representatives, we acknowledge the significance of selling sustainable wildlife administration. Our presence signifies an opportunity to interact with European searching outfitters and conservationists, showcasing Botswana’s extraordinary wildlife. This journey is essential for constructing networks with the European market. We additionally purpose to deal with misconceptions about Botswana’s regulated trophy searching practices. We purpose to advertise sustainable wildlife practices in Botswana, guaranteeing that searching revenues help native communities by way of group trusts. This funding improves the standard of life whereas preserving our nation’s wealthy biodiversity.”
Satisfaction amongst exhibitors and guests
As final yr, round 30% of the 700+ exhibitors have been from overseas – representing 36 nations together with Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Poland in addition to the US, the Center East and Africa. Round 93% of exhibitors stated through the present that they might participate in JAGD & HUND once more.
An preliminary analysis of the customer survey confirmed a excessive degree of satisfaction right here too, with 90.2% of tourists – the same quantity to final yr’s 91.5% – saying they supposed to come back again subsequent yr.
New informative choices properly obtained by guests
The informative supporting programme at JAGD & HUND had been joined this yr by the brand new Masterclasses powered by Geartester. A complete of 16 completely different informative occasions that includes prime audio system occurred within the congress centre proper subsequent to the exhibition halls. Matters akin to ‘Exact wild animal examination in 6 steps’ (Rebecka Schulz), ‘First support for gundogs’ (Wiebke Obst), ‘Getting higher with the shotgun’ (Markus Gemeinder), ‘Night time searching – searching with night time sights and thermal imaging tools’ (Eike Mross) and ‘Gun security’ (Reiner Schemel) proved particularly in style.
Reside coaching was additionally on provide on the new butchery showcase on the Friedr. Dick stand in Corridor 5. The assorted demonstrations on subjects akin to ‘Skilled reducing and sausage processing’ and ‘Cleansing, hygiene and cleanliness’ attracted so many guests that at occasions it was practically unimaginable to get by way of the stand.
Competitions
The ‘European Looking Photograph of the 12 months 2024‘ competitors was additionally a primary. Avid searching and nature photographers had been in a position to submit their pictures in 4 classes through the run-up to the present, and the finalists have been even allowed to current their work to show-goers within the interconnecting lined method resulting in the North Entrance advanced. The winners have been Felix Klein-Bösing (Large Sport Looking class, awarded in absentia), Cordula Kramer (Small Sport Looking class), Sophie Linckersdorff (Portraits class, awarded in absentia) and Evamarie Hillmann (Sport Utilisation & Meals class). They obtained their awards on the primary stage in Corridor 4 on Tuesday afternoon from Messe Dortmund Managing Director Sabine Loos, FACE President Laurens Hoedemaker and Kathrin Puelacher from sponsor Swarovski Optik. The awards got here with high-quality prizes from Swarovski and a calendar containing the very best entries to the picture competitors, which guests to JAGD & HUND have been additionally in a position to buy within the North Entrance advanced through the present. The viewers award – show-goers have been additionally in a position to vote on the finalist pictures on show – went to Finn Bienias.
The German Deer Calling Championship, held this yr for the 26th time, is already a convention in its personal proper. As ever, it proved to be one of many large crowd pullers, and, as in earlier years, one man emerged from the competitors because the resplendent winner, with Fabian Menzel from Bavaria profitable the championship for the fifth time. Remarkably, runner-up Thomas Soltwedel from Mecklenburg & Western Pomerania and third-placed Jerome Böhm from Decrease Saxony additionally managed to defend their titles, and all three will now be travelling to the European Championships in Lithuania this October. The championship is organised in collaboration with WILD UND HUND journal revealed by Paul Parey Zeitschriftenverlag.
Two different contests have been again once more this yr after their débuts in 2024. The deer callers have been adopted on Friday afternoon by the ‘Luring Championship – Small Sport Calling Contest‘ organised at the side of searching journal ‘Unsere Jagd – Im Revier zuhause‘ revealed by Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag and the OVIS searching retailer. The winners have been Benedikt Triptrap (class: Crow), Julian Lewis (class: Fox), Cris Neumann (class: Gray Goose) and Manuel Guminga (class: Duck). On the KIDZ FIEP World Championships organised by Hunt on Demand on the HORRIDO stage, Carl Friedrich, Matthias and Noah have been delighted to take Locations 1, 2 and three.
Final however not least, exhibitors within the KNIFE ZONE in Corridor 5 had the chance to use for this yr’s Knife Award. The winners have been honoured on Saturday afternoon, with first place going to Forgeworks and its ‘Indomitor Swedge’ mannequin, second place going to the UG Instruments TiNy with a Damascus blade from Utsch und Gierse Instruments GmbH and third place going the GT-01 (Excessive Model) from Manufaktur Solinger Kotten UG.
Nice satisfaction amongst associations
What would JAGD & HUND be with out the help of the various associations in attendance on the present? Before everything, in fact, the 2 conceptual companions of the present, the State Looking Affiliation of North Rhine Westphalia (LJV) and the Working Gundog Affiliation (JGHV) which attracted guests not simply to their very own stands but additionally with an informative supporting programme on-stage in Corridor 4, the occasion space in Corridor 3 and the Younger Hunters’ stage on the LJV stand. As yearly, quite a few different associations have been additionally concerned. Members have been all very happy with the six days, with LJV President Nicole Heitzig summing up the ultimate day of the present, saying: “JAGD & HUND 2025 was an excellent occasion for our group from LJV NRW with nice encounters and many enjoyable. The great temper among the many show-goers was very evident, with many becoming a member of our like-minded group then and there. I used to be significantly delighted with the ‘wild front room’ created by the Younger Hunters, and with the motivation proven by the 250 stand helpers and the LJV group. We’re already wanting ahead to JAGD & HUND 2026.”
Friedhelm Röttgen, Vice President of the Working Gundog Affiliation, advised us: “We regard JAGD & HUND as a necessary a part of our affiliation’s work. Our recognised breeding golf equipment have the chance to current their gundogs to the general public as ‘household canine with careers’. We additionally very a lot welcome the brand new version of the ‘WuH-Youngsters present rally’ as we’re delighted to welcome each two and four-legged offspring. Completely satisfied to return.”
Regardless of the hunters’ demonstration in Hanover on 30 January, which occurred similtaneously the present, the German Looking Affiliation was additionally current with a stand at JAGD & HUND. Subsequently, President Helmut Dammann-Tamke was particularly involved about one factor: “I particularly need to thank the JAGD & HUND present and the State Looking Affiliation of North Rhine Westphalia as conceptual sponsor for his or her nice help when it comes to the large-scale demonstration in Hanover. The German Looking Affiliation regards the present as a key assembly place for the business – for dialogue with a variety of companions within the worlds of enterprise, associations and political decision-making.”
The German Bowhunting Affiliation (DBJV) was additionally totally up-beat about its look on the present. Quite a few hunters and commerce guests confirmed nice curiosity in bowhunting as a helpful addition to fashionable searching operations. “The excellent response reveals that bowhunting is more and more being recognised as a sustainable and humane type of searching. What was significantly spectacular was the openness of the searching group to take an in-depth take a look at the probabilities and benefits of this conventional searching technique,” stated Christian Weiken, Head of Commerce Exhibits & Worldwide Collaboration on the German Bowhunting Affiliation. “Many guests recognised that bowhunting is usually a useful addition in sure searching conditions – particularly in delicate areas akin to searching close to residential areas and settlements, and for selective regulation of recreation populations.”
Fundraising campaigns for animal rescue and the atmosphere
“Each shot successful!”: Guests have been in a position to show their marksmanship as soon as once more this yr on the capturing vary of searching and ammunition producer RWS GmbH. A sum of EUR 4,600 was raised for the NRW Wildlife & Biotope Safety Basis. The cheque was offered by Rolf Knäpper (RWS GmbH) to Nicole Heitzig, President of the State Looking Affiliation of North Rhine Westphalia and Chairwoman of the Basis. The ‘Schieß die Sau’ hog-shoot on the stand of ‘wild butcher’ Conny Baierl on the WILD FOOD FESTIVAL within the Westfalenhalle was equally profitable, giving complete new that means to the expression ‘a recreation of darts’. On the ultimate day of the present, Conrad Baierl, Sven Gerdhenrichs from L & S Wild GbR, Tobias Wagner from the German Looking Affiliation’s ‘Wild auf Wild‘ (Sport for Sport) initiative, and others handed over a donation of EUR 6,000 to Nicole Heitzig, Government Director of the wildlife rescue organisation.
New date now revealed
When one present closes, the run-up to the subsequent one will get underway. The dates of the subsequent JAGD & HUND have now been revealed, with Dortmund’s exhibition halls as soon as once more set to be the centre of attraction for all searching, nation pursuit, outside journey and canine fans between 27 January and 1 February 2026. And this a lot can now be revealed: the primary area bookings for JAGD & HUND 2026 are already in!
>>> Click on right here as soon as once more for the curtain-up report on JAGD & HUND 2025 containing detailed data on the programme line-up and the highlights of the present.
>>> Discover out extra about waht exhibitors at JAGD & HUND hat to say within the appendix.
EXHIBITION AT A GLANCE
JAGD & HUND – EUROPE’S LARGEST HUNTING EXHIBITION
Every year, Europe’s largest searching exhibition JAGD & HUND opens its doorways to the general public, providing searching and nature fans a universe of hunting-related alternatives at Dortmund Exhibition Centre’s excellent indoor and outside amenities. In addition to showcasing a complete vary of merchandise, the truthful can also be characterised by a various supporting programme which makes JAGD & HUND very particular, turning it into a singular buying and leisure expertise for folks of all ages. In the meantime, the tandem culinary WILD FOOD FESTIVAL provides guests the chance to satisfy skilled, TV and movie star cooks revealing fashionable, tasty and various methods to organize recreation dishes. For anybody seeking to expertise a singular combine of recent searching apply and cultural custom at first hand, JAGD & HUND is unquestionably the place to be.
