FAOS Journal

Each winter, when the forests of Bavaria fall silent beneath a veil of mist and the oak leaves begin to turn, the same ritual takes place across much of Europe: the start of driven boar season.
For Franz-Albrecht Oettingen-Spielberg, that tradition reaches its peak on his family estate, a landscape steeped in history, heritage and wildlife.

Crafted from the finest cotton for breathability and comfort in the field, this is no ordinary cap. It features our signature FAOS roebuck logo — a proud symbol of the species that has shaped so much of my hunting journey — elegantly embroidered in rich red cord across the front. This is my go to hunting cap for the roebuck rut. Join the FAOS  community and get yours exclusively on F-A-O-S.com 

There is something timeless about the stag rut  the moment when the quiet “ghosts” of the forest transform into the kings of the woodland. Every year, as the summer heat fades and the first roar echoes across the forest, I sense the same blend of anticipation and humility. No two seasons are identical, yet each rut follows an ancient rhythm.

For over thirty years, I’ve dedicated my life to understanding Europe’s wildlife, not only as a hunter, but as a conservationist and land steward. Managing wild game responsibly and ethically is something I care about deeply, and now I’m proud to share that passion with a wider audience through the launch of F-A-O-S.com.

I’m proud to introduce my new eight-part series: The Roebuck Rut, filmed during the peak of the season on one of the most carefully managed estates in Europe — my own home in Germany. This is the most personal and detailed series I’ve ever produced. It’s an invitation to join me in the field and experience what it means to pursue mature roebucks with purpose, patience, and respect.

I’m proud to offer something truly special in the FAOS shop: an exclusive, handcrafted metal and reed FAOS-branded roebuck call, made to the highest standard by a master German craftsman. Housed in a leather FAOS branded sheath this is the only call I use in the roebuck rut. Once mastered, which takes little time, it provides all the different calls I need.