As the new organizer of the “Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei” 2025 trade fair, we are delighted to report an extremely successful event outcome. Organized for the first time as an in-house event by Messezentrum Salzburg GmbH, the exhibition impressively demonstrated that tradition and innovation go hand in hand. “Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei” continues to be one of the leading industry events for hunting, fishing, and outdoor enthusiasts.
35 Years of “Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei” – Record Numbers
The exhibition was held in Salzburg for the 35th time – and achieved a new visitor record. With 44,000 visitors and nearly 500 exhibitors from 40 nations presenting over 700 brands, the fair set new benchmarks. The high level of participation and overwhelmingly positive feedback underline the importance of the event as a central platform for the hunting and fishing industry.
A Successful Start with Strong Visitor Attendance
From the very beginning, the exhibition was marked by a positive atmosphere and lively interest. Following the musical opening by the Rupertiwinkler Hunting Horn Blowers, Managing Director Alexander Kribus and State Minister Hubert Aiwanger welcomed the audience together with moderator Richard Deutinger.
The opening discussion focused on the theme “Cross-Border Hunting” and brought together prominent representatives from the hunting community: Max Mayr-Melnhof (Salzburg State Hunting Master), Hans Berger (1st Chairman of the Berchtesgadener Land District Group in the Bavarian Hunting Association), and Günther Rabensteiner (State Hunting Master of South Tyrol) discussed key challenges and opportunities within the industry. Fishing was also strongly represented by Franz Kiwek, President of the Austrian Fishing Association. The official opening of the exhibition was then conducted by Regional Councillor Josef Schwaiger.
Review and Event Success
“The 35th ‘Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ in Salzburg was a double success for us. On the one hand, we had the opportunity to take on the role of official organizer for the first time, and on the other hand, our expectations were far exceeded. Not only did the 35,000 square meters of exhibition space, supported by a broad range of hunting and fishing exhibitors, demonstrate the strong interest in the platform, but the large influx of visitors also confirmed the perfect positioning of the public trade fair. Once again, it can be said: hunters and anglers are dependable,” emphasized Managing Director Alexander Kribus.
Salzburg State Hunting Master Max Mayr-Melnhof also expressed his satisfaction: “For me – and for Salzburg as well – this exhibition is a very special highlight. It offers a unique opportunity for encounters, exchange, and shared experiences. Its high importance for the industry makes me proud that ‘Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ takes place in Salzburg.”
Exhibition Highlights
Particular crowd-pullers included the interactive experience areas, featuring live falconry demonstrations, practical expert talks, and cooking shows with wild game specialties. One outstanding highlight was the European Taxidermy Championships (ETC), where taxidermy works were displayed throughout the exhibition and some specimens were even prepared live on-site.
The Austrian National Deer Calling Championships were also held once again, with Patrick Obersamer from Pongau claiming victory by masterfully imitating the calls of deer.
Statements About the Exhibition
Dominic Waldner, CEO of Blaser Group GmbH:
“For us, this is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with our end customers and provide comprehensive advice. This year, we presented our new FBX shotgun, the exclusive R8 Grand Lux models, and our new range finder as product highlights. As always, the atmosphere at the exhibition was outstanding, and the many exciting conversations once again showed how important this direct contact is.”
Alexander Simonovits, Sales and Purchasing Manager at GM Gschwendtner GmbH:
“‘Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ is, in my opinion, the highest-quality hunting exhibition in all of Europe. As exhibitors, it is essential for us to present our products directly to end customers, answer questions, and showcase our entire portfolio. Once again this year, we were thrilled by the enormous number of visitors.”
Samantha Wendel, GTML Global Trading Marketing Logistics GmbH:
“The ‘Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei’ exhibition is the event where all end customers come together and where we can present our complete product range. Of course, there are other testing events, but here everything is in one place – a huge advantage for both exhibitors and visitors. We can provide advice, share valuable tips, and present products in detail. This year’s exhibition was a complete success. I was especially impressed by the high quality of both the conversations and the audience. In addition to many hunters, there were also sport shooters, hobby shooters, and nature enthusiasts who wanted to engage deeply with hunting.”
Reinhold Sodia, Managing Director of Sodia Jagdwaffen und Bekleidung:
“An international meeting point – particularly with many customers coming from Bavaria, Italy, and across Austria – which makes this exhibition extremely important for us. Initially, we were somewhat cautious due to the overall economic situation, but we can now say: the exhibition is going very well, and we are absolutely satisfied.”
Conclusion and Outlook
The 35th “Hohe Jagd & Fischerei” impressively demonstrated why it is one of the most important trade fairs for hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities. The record number of visitors and the strong interest in the program highlights emphasize the relevance of this event for the industry. The combination of expertise, innovation, and personal exchange makes the exhibition an indispensable platform. Building on this success, we look confidently toward the next edition and look forward to continuing to develop and expand the event.
The next “Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei” will take place from 19 to 22 February 2026 at the Messezentrum Salzburg.
