«Promote, also in view of the Olympics, the Alpine culture and the work of hunters and fishermen, pieces of a new mountain economy that is too often not understood». The words of the president of Uncem, the Union of mountain municipalities and authorities, Marco Bussone, best summarize the 23rd edition of “Hunting, fishing and nature 2025”, the national fair of products and services for hunting, fishing and outdoor activities, inaugurated this morning at Longarone Fiere Dolomiti. Hunting and fishing, in fact, do not only represent a vast world of enthusiasts, but are an integral part of the complex system of protection of the territory. In this context, regional councilor Silvia Cestaro recalled, the decision-making autonomy of the Province of Belluno in this matter is important: «We are convinced – she said – that especially on wildlife plans and land management we can have an extra edge».
Wildlife and hunting management is essential for proper land management. A concept reiterated by many, who also strongly emphasized the importance of teamwork between all the actors involved: hunters, fishermen, farmers, provincial police. And it was precisely to the men in gray-green in force at Palazzo Piloni that the thanks of the president of the Province of Belluno, Roberto Padrin, and his deputy Silvia Calligaro came: «They are one of our reasons for pride and a determining factor for the autonomy of the Province in matters of hunting and fishing. A body that last year we managed to integrate and strengthen with eight new additions, all very young».
And then, the numbers, listed by the CEO of Longarone Fiere Dolomiti, Giovanni De Lorenzi. There are 118 exhibitors and 138 brands represented, coming from 12 Italian regions and 5 foreign countries (Hungary, Germany, Austria, San Marino and Lithuania): «When it was born, in 2002 – De Lorenzi recalled – “Caccia, pesca e natura” was the first themed fair held in closed spaces. Since then it has grown steadily, becoming one of the flagship proposals of Longarone Fiere Dolomiti. A fair that grows: this year 15 thousand attendees are estimated».
Numerous, as per tradition, are the highlights of the day. Starting with the “Festa del cacciatore”, an event that has reached its 28th edition and for which an entire pavilion has been reserved, with the exhibition of the trophies of the hunting season of all the Belluno reserves. And then the taste, also addressed in some particular focuses dedicated to game, on which the Province is working to create a meat processing chain. Sold – out the fishing competitions organized by the Maè-Piave Basin and great participation also for the tasting route “A river of flavors”, with the proposals of cicchetti based on rainbow trout to enhance a raw material of the territory and the creativity of the students of the Enaip Veneto professional school of Longarone. There was no shortage of insights into the wildlife projects in the province of Belluno, with reports on the “Chamois project on Monte Grappa”, on the “Repopulation project of the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) in the Antelao-Marmarole-Sorapis group, Rac San Vito”, and the project “Highland pastures: a heritage to be safeguarded and regenerated”. For expert hunters, however, there was the opportunity (and it will be repeated tomorrow) in the shooting range set up in Caralte, to test the best weapons in collaboration with Benelli and Origin Voere. The shooting sessions are by reservation with a shuttle service reserved by Longarone Fiere Dolomiti.
Finally, tourism linked to fishing. “Hunting, fishing and nature” also focused on the tourism opportunities offered by fishing activities. In particular, taking advantage of the fishing-Dolomites combination, given that already today there are many tourists from all over the world who come to test their fishing lines on the Piave, on the Centro Cadore lake and on other bodies of water in the province. The Dmo Dolomiti Foundation took the opportunity to present a structured fishing tourism project, in synergy with the Province, the Region and the fishing basins.
“Hunting, fishing, nature” continues tomorrow. Among other activities, the report of the 2024-2025 hunting season will be presented with data on the ungulate populations present in the province of Belluno.
Longarone, 12 April 2024
