Our CEO shares his best hunting memories and hopes for the moose season

For Andreas Esbjörnsson, hunting has always been more than just time spent in nature. It is tradition, fellowship, and strategy. As the new CEO of Pinewood, he shares his memories of moose hunts, the joy of being outdoors, and why he believes the planning stage can be just as rewarding as the moment of the shot.

His passion for hunting began in childhood. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Andreas grew up surrounded by stories of the forest and days filled with fishing and hunting. Before he was old enough to join the hunts himself, he eagerly waited at home, watching to see if the family car was backed into the driveway — a clear sign that the day had been successful. At the age of just twelve, he earned his hunting license and started hunting on his grandfather’s land in Skåne, Sweden. He vividly remembers his very first moose hunt: standing on tiptoe in the hunting tower, barely tall enough to see over the edge.

Now a father of two sons, aged 13 and 17, Andreas hopes the tradition will continue through the next generation. His long-time dream? To one day travel to Alaska or Canada to fish and hunt moose or deer, a vision of true wilderness that has stayed with him since childhood.

Today, most of his hunts take place around Värnamo, Småland, with driven hunts as the main focus, though stalking and stand hunts remain close to his heart. For Andreas, these quieter hunts bring him closer to nature. - When you sit in silence long enough, you adjust to nature’s rhythm, he says. You don’t just observe it — you become part of it.

Hunting, however, is not just about the forest or the animals. It’s about companionship. Ahead of this year’s moose season, his goal is not necessarily to take the shot himself, but to share the excitement and camaraderie of the hunt.

- I’ve observed a lot of moose during the year so the conditions look promising, but no matter the outcome, it will be great to just get out there, he says with a smile. He also highlights the role of preparation and adaptability.

- You go into every hunt with a plan, but nature rarely follows it. That’s the beauty of it: the challenge, the lessons, and the thrill of the unexpected.

Looking back, Andreas recalls the powerful memory of his first moose at age 18. Sitting alone with his father’s rifle in a power line clearing, he managed to take down a calf. That was a moment that gave him an early reputation in his hunting team as the one you’d want to stay close to if you hoped to hear a shot.

Another cherished memory comes from a fallow deer hunt in Skåne with his father when he was just 15. After several failed attempts, he finally managed to drive a magnificent buck within reach, which his father was able to take. The antlers still hang in his office today, a lasting reminder of the bond between generations.

When it comes to gear, Andreas has his favourites. Early in the season, he prefers the lightweight Furudal Retriever set, perfect for warmer days with plenty of movement. He also relies on the InsectSafe hoodie, both as a mid-layer and as an outer layer on hot days. Later in the year, when the temperature drops, his go-to is the Hunter Pro Extreme 2.0 set, combined with the Hurricane sweater and warm base layers to keep the cold at bay. And then there’s the classic Canada shirt — a plaid favourite tied to many nostalgic memories from his earliest hunts.

He also encourages hunters to explore camouflage patterns. Since switching from solid-coloured gear to Pinewood’s Strata pattern, Andreas has noticed a clear difference, especially in deer, roe deer, and fox hunting. - Other fellow hunters say the same, it really makes a difference. Try it for yourself! he urges.

For Andreas, hunting has always been more than taking the shot. It is the warmth of shared stories, the silence of the forest, and the feeling of belonging to something greater. As Pinewood’s CEO, he is determined to carry that spirit forward and share it with many more.