Hunting was always an important pastime in animal- and species-rich East Prussia. In the Middle Ages it would provide additional food. Later, hunting became more and more a privilege of the rulers and assumed a representative character. The myth of East Prussia as a hunting paradise has remained unchanged until today.
The reputation of East Prussia as a unique natural paradise was based not least on its abundant wildlife and variety of rare or large animals. It is not surprising that hunting has been practised there intensively since the time of the Order and still attracts numerous guests even today. It was especially on the feudal estates that hunting played an important social role.
Measures were taken at an early stage to maintain this special game population. Among the numerous edicts of King Frederick William I there are those that can be understood as the world's first nature conservation regulations. The Romincka Forest became especially famous, a place where the most trophy deer of the empire lived and were carefully looked after.