Gamekeeping in winter
Andi Fritz – hunter by trade
He is a professional hunter in his Kleinwalsertal home for 12 years. He feeds the wild animals in winter.
Andi Fritz is a hunter by trade – something he already wanted to do as a little boy because his father was also a hunter. “It’s got to be in your blood,” he says. “Because it’s much more than an eight-hour job.” In Kleinwalsertal he looks after the welfare of red deer, roe deer and chamois. “My main task now in winter is to feed the wild animals,” says Andi, who can’t even imagine living in the lowlands. He fills several mangers at Höfle Alp in Schwende early in the morning.
The animals are brave enough in the evening to leave the forest. “That’s a great moment,” says the hunter, who has a broad understanding of his tasks: “The wildlife population and forest have to be healthy and you have to create areas of calm for the animals.” A positive example: A ski trail passes close to the feeding station and it works perfectly: “When everyone abides by the rules, the animals have their habitat and visitors are able to enjoy nature.”
His tip
Take a stroll along one of the many hiking trails through Kleinwalsertal at dusk. And you might see chamois with a little luck.”
Link tip