New female hosts for Nak & Æd spark debate over gender and hunting culture

The announcement of a new all-female presenting duo for Denmark’s popular hunting and cooking show Nak & Æd has triggered a wave of criticism online, though hunters and industry groups have welcomed the change, reports DR.

Since DR revealed on Monday that sisters Trine and Rikke Wagner Jacobsen would take over as hosts, social media reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Many commenters argued the show—known for its blend of hunting, outdoor cooking, and nature storytelling—should not continue without its original male hosts, while others questioned whether women could lead the program effectively.

Yet among Denmark’s hunting community, the response has been far more positive. Mette Mai Kryger, a hunter from Svendborg who earned her hunting license a year ago, called the choice “brave and right.” “The most important thing isn’t whether the hosts are men or women, but that they’re passionate hunters who know their craft,” she told DR. “Hunting is often seen as a men’s club, so it’s refreshing to see two women in these roles.”

Her view is shared by Danmarks Jægerforbund (Denmark’s Hunters’ Association), where Jørgen Egelund Jensen, deputy chair for the Funen region, described the decision as a “scoop” for DR. “More women are taking up hunting every year,” he noted. “Having role models matters—this pair can inspire others to join.”

The Wagner sisters, both professional hunting guides, acknowledged the backlash but emphasized their focus on the craft over gender. “We knew opinions would be mixed, but we weren’t prepared for how intense it would get,” Trine Wagner said. “Hunting is about skill, not whether you’re a man or a woman.”

Kryger, a longtime viewer of Nak & Æd, said she hopes the new hosts will highlight the “peace and profound experiences” hunting offers. “If they capture that, I think even more people—men and women—will want to explore it.”

Filming for the first episodes with the new hosts begins in June 2026, with the season set to premiere on DR TV and DR1 in 2027.