Question for Dom

[Andy L]

I gotta ask. What does Waidmannsheil mean?

I see that in almost all your posts and have no friggin clue and cant get a translation. Please help me....

[Baylian]

Andy,

Dom has a great trip report on the Africa hunting page. I asked him the same question. He answered me. It's his saying so I'll either let you go find the answer there or wiat for him to reply.

Good hunting or good luck in your hunt, TJ

[jon lynn]

Waidmannsheil

is a German hunters greeting, and a form of crongradulations. When greeting another hunter in Germany you remove your (must have ) loden green felt hat with your left hand, and shake the right and say, "Waidmansheil." And in the aloha version, it is also said upon parting.


When you are congradulated on a kill of a strong animal, or a first kill, you are presented with a piece of the 'last bite' diped in the animals blood, or feathers from game birds, and are put on your hat, and the presenter says "Waidmansheil" in the form of congradulations, and you reply "Waidmansdank" which is the reciver of the compliment as literally saying 'Hunters thanks'

The last bite FYI, is a branch from a native tree (Spruce, Oak, Asp or some type of pine) placed down the slain game-animals mouth, always, Hochwald (higher animal), placed in the mouth as a last meal for the departing spirit of the beast, as a sign of respect.

Set by the patron sait of hunting Hubertos, a former poatcher turned to a protector or wild game after a vision of seeing a golden cross upon the head of a red stag.

[Dom]

Thanks TJ & Jon

Andy, yes as said, it's mainly used as a greeting to wish another hunter 'Good Hunting'; customs and tradition kept up in the modern age.

It is used almost exclusively by hunters, so it builds a closer knit group also. In fact, there's hundreds of words using terminology for hunting that most non-hunters do not use and may have never heard!! Example: kinda like folks calling a deer foot a deer foot and the hunters calling it a deer hoof.

Anyway, just wishing everyone good hunting, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Andy L]

Thanks Dom and company. I have wondered for years what you were saying, Dom. Ive tried to use the translators on the net and they wouldnt do it. Finally just had to ask.