Competitions at JAGD & HUND reflect the diversity of topics covered by the trade fair

Registration for some competitions is still open

In addition to an international field of exhibitors and extensive information on hunting, nature, and dogs, competitions that convey the traditions, methods, and fascination of hunting in a special way are an integral part of JAGD & HUND. Whether it’s nature photography, imitating varying deer calls, or commitment to the welfare of red deer, the variety of topics at the upcoming fair is greater than ever before. There is still time to register for some of the competitions. Here is a brief overview. 

Dortmund, 22 December 2025 – The competition “Europe’s Hunting Photo of the Year 2025” kicks things off. The award ceremony will take place on the opening day (27 January) at 14:00 hrs on the stage in Hall 4. The best photographers are guaranteed to get a lot of attention when winners in the four categories are announced: “Wildlife & Landscape,” “New perspectives,” “Fresh on the table,” and “Hunting Culture & Heritage.” The award ceremony will be hosted by lawyer Christian Teppe. Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, and Laurens Hoedemaker, President of FACE (European Federation for Hunting and Conservation), will also offer their congratulations. The winners can look forward to high-quality prizes from ZEISS.
>>> All information can be found here. 

Three competitions will then dominate the stage program in Hall 4 on Friday (30 January). The first at 12:00 hrs is a new competition held in German and launched by Messe Dortmund in collaboration with the “RotWildes Deutschland” initiative and the hunting magazine “WILD UND HUND” from Paul Parey Zeitschriftenverlag. “Highway to Fail” is the title of this satirical competition, which has a more than serious background. The search is on until December 30 for the most pointless wildlife crossing aids. The sad background to the competition is the increasing genetic impoverishment of red deer in Germany, due to the fragmentation of their habitats. During the award ceremony, wildlife biologist Frank Zabel will address the issue in more detail in a keynote speech (German).
>>> All information can be found here. 

This special competition is followed by another equally unusual event, which has a long tradition at JAGD & HUND: the 27th German Deer Calling Championship. It is organized in collaboration with the magazine “WILD UND HUND”. This year, participants will compete in the following three disciplines: “The voice of the young, searching stag,” “The voice of the dominant stag in the doe herd”, and “Call duel between two equally strong stags at the height of the rutting season.” In addition to prizes, the top three finishers will each receive a ticket to the European Championship.
>>> More information (in German) is available here. 

At 14:00 hrs, the Calling Contest will conclude the competition series in Hall 4. Organized by Messe Dortmund in collaboration with the hunting magazine “unsere Jagd” from Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag and the hunting shop “OVIS,” participants will demonstrate their skills in small game calling here. This year’s categories are: fox (hare call), carrion crow, gray goose, raccoon, and mallard. The winners can look forward to high-quality prizes.  Finally, on Saturday (31 January), it will be the turn of the youngest participants to impress visitors to the HORRIDO area in Hall 8. At 12:00 hrs, the starting signal will be given for the third “KIDZ FIEP World Championship,” organized by Hunt on Demand. This is aimed at children aged six to 15. Without instruments or aids they can prove how well they can call roe deer. Application videos must be submitted by January 12 via Instagram at @hunterbrothersofficial or by email to support@hunt-on-demand.com. The ten best Kidz Fiepers will compete live on stage one after the other. Age-appropriate prizes await the winners.