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Waidmannsheil
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Hi all, really quick one here. What does Waidmannsheil actually mean (good luck or good hunting I guess by the way its used) or am I totally wrong. Help here please as its driving me and some friends nuts!

Z
 
Posts: 188 | Location: staffordshire | Registered: 30 August 2005Reply With Quote
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Waidmannsheil


My wife is Austrian and each time I've hunted over there, I was told that it means "Good luck on the hunt."

For a literal translation, that's hard to say. If you said "Good hunting," it would be close to "Gutes Jagen."

I basically interpret it in my head, when someone says it to me, as "good luck hunting."

Maybe one of our German/Swiss/Austrian hunters will chime in with their $.02.


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If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming...

 
Posts: 2789 | Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania | Registered: 08 June 2005Reply With Quote
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Traditions! Smiler

In many German speaking countries, the shooter of an animal is generally presented with a leafy twig dipped in the animal's blood. This is worn in the hatband to identify a successful outing.

This is offered by stalking companion/game keeper along with the salutation 'Weidmannsheil' - colloquially 'hail to the hunter'. It is accepted with the formal response 'Weidmanns Danke'.

If you are really in luck (?!?) you get a full blown verse read out.

Often used as an informal 'good luck on the hunt'!

rgds Ian


Just taking my rifle for a walk!........
 
Posts: 1308 | Location: Devon, UK | Registered: 21 August 2001Reply With Quote
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I absolutely don't want to act like a teacher, but is used as greeting and as congratulations when the hunter has positively concluded his hunt.

As IanF wrote is often used as greeting when the people understand that you are a hunter. Your answer is, or should be 'Weidmanns Danke'. In this way, as I read once, the word Heil take the meaning of hi, hello.

When it is used as congratulation Heil take the meaning like hurrah.

In Italy there is something like this, but is more a declaration made by the hunter that has killed the boar, than a greeting or congratulations, and it is "VIVA MARIA". Is common in Tuscania, and it is probably a way to thank Our Lady for the good luck


bye
Stefano
Waidmannsheil
 
Posts: 1653 | Location: Milano Italy | Registered: 04 July 2000Reply With Quote
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You are all right. I know of at least the following uses of the term "Weidmannsheil" (also spelled "Waidmannsheil" by some):

- as a greeting between hunters (your response: Weidmannsheil).
- as a wish for good hunting fortune - say you are being dropped off at your stand, the others will then wish you "Weidmannsheil" when they move on. (Your response: Weidmannsheil)
- as a congratulation in case you shot something - in which case the proper response is "Weidmannsdank".
- and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...

It can sometimes be pretty complicated to be a hunter in the German speaking part of Europe... Wink

- mike


*********************
The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
 
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002Reply With Quote
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When I shot a boar recently in Cz, the Germans in the party all made a point of shaking my hand and saying Weidmannsheil, I wasn't quite sure how I was supposed to respond, and said "weidmannsheil" in return. I now know that was wrong. They probably think I am an uncultured Irish bog trotter. They might even be right... Wink


Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
 
Posts: 1484 | Location: Northern Ireland | Registered: 19 February 2004Reply With Quote
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So Italian's say Hail Mary! Good to know.

I heard that the Polish Guides usually say Daz Bror! What it means I don't know.

America is a big place, and I know about 200 different hunters congradulatory speaches.

Most go something like" Dude! Nice hog!, or Good Shot! or F**KING alright!
 
Posts: 4729 | Location: Australia | Registered: 06 February 2005Reply With Quote
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and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...


OHHH well Mike,
sometime can be a pleasure, or interesting, to pay a round .... anyone become more rich, anyone become more poor, maybe all become more friends, for sure all become more happy and drunk Big Grin


bye
Stefano
Waidmannsheil
 
Posts: 1653 | Location: Milano Italy | Registered: 04 July 2000Reply With Quote
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Yes lots of meanings, and I like the tradition vs. in the states there's just nothing like it.

So, Waidmannsheil !! Hey, I typed that with my left hand too -- this place could cost a couple of bucks if I had to buy a round, Dom.


-------- There are those who only reload so they can shoot, and then there are those who only shoot so they can reload. I belong to the first group. Dom ---------
 
Posts: 728 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 15 March 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by mho:
You are all right. I know of at least the following uses of the term "Weidmannsheil" (also spelled "Waidmannsheil" by some):

- as a greeting between hunters (your response: Weidmannsheil).
- as a wish for good hunting fortune - say you are being dropped off at your stand, the others will then wish you "Weidmannsheil" when they move on. (Your response: Weidmannsheil)
- as a congratulation in case you shot something - in which case the proper response is "Weidmannsdank".
- and finally, one can use the term Weidmannsheil when one salutes the other hunters with a drink - in which case it is VERY important you drink with your left hand, otherwise you might have pay a round...

It can sometimes be pretty complicated to be a hunter in the German speaking part of Europe... Wink

- mike
 
Posts: 561 | Location: northern Germany | Registered: 26 February 2005Reply With Quote
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Mho is right, but I will complete it: if a person, who is not a hunter, whishes "Waidmannsheil" to you for good luck, than you have to answer "Waidmannsdank"! Confusing, but of long tradition. But huntingtradition is very important in Germany (Swiss) Austria and some countries of the former K.-K.-Monarchery.
 
Posts: 561 | Location: northern Germany | Registered: 26 February 2005Reply With Quote
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this is all well and good, but how do you pronounce it?
I presume the "W" is a V.
A guess would be: veed man shell

regards
griff
 
Posts: 1179 | Location: scotland | Registered: 28 February 2001Reply With Quote
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Griff - if you see an E and I together in German word - pronounce the last letter.

Thus - correctly pronounced you would phonetically write it in UK as 'Vied mans high ul'

String it together - and you are fluent!! Wink

Rgds Ian


Just taking my rifle for a walk!........
 
Posts: 1308 | Location: Devon, UK | Registered: 21 August 2001Reply With Quote
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All of the above are correct, but no one got to the literal translation. A "Waidmann" is someone that "wanders the fields and meadows" - "waid" = meadow or grassy field
"man(n)= "one" or "person"
"heil" = hail.

Of course the above explanations are correct, as this is correctly idiomatically translated instead of literally translated. A similar example would be "Gruss Gott", which literally means "God greet you", but is used idiomatically as "hello".

Vyd monz hyl

und

Vyd monz dohnk

Paul
 
Posts: 7 | Registered: 21 February 2006Reply With Quote
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As we have now seen the German and Italian version.

Here is the Norwegian version: "Skitt Jakt".

It litterally means "Shit hunting"! And is said when the hunter goes out to hunt, or is dropped of at a stand etc.

The reason being that if you say something like "Good luck", the opposite will happen, and you will have bad luck. Just like actors often say "Break a leg" to each other before going on stage, but mean "Goo luck".

You say something simular when fishing; "Skitt fiske".

There is no tradition that I know of, or hear people use when an animal is shot though. Just regular "congratulations".

Are there any other countries in Europe with tradtional hunting greetings?
 
Posts: 2662 | Location: Oslo, in the naive land of socialist nepotism and corruption... | Registered: 10 May 2002Reply With Quote
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For "Waidmannsheil" there are couple of simple rules and they don't get too awfully complicated.

"Waidmannsheil" as all above have noted is commonly refered to as a "Hunter's Salutation" or "Hunter's Greeting".

Vaid-mans-heyel would be another interpretation.

The salutation is used except for two rules:

1. When you receive the Congratulatory Branch (with your left hand) after the shooting of an animal - answer "Waidmanns Dank".

2. When posted to your stand, High Seat or position by your Guide, Host or Forester; after they explain what you're to shoot and the parametrs of the area you're supposed to shoot into the last word will be "Waidmannsheil". The correct repsonse is "Waidmanns Dank".

After about the third or fourth round of Beer, Wine or Schnapps (mostly accounted for by folks drinking their toast with the right hand instead of the left) all bets are off and you can pretty much say whatever you want - just drink with your left hand!


Cheers,

Number 10
 
Posts: 3433 | Location: Frankfurt, Germany | Registered: 23 December 2004Reply With Quote
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Gerry, let`s be correct: Point2 is not truly correct, if your guide is also a hunter or forester and whishes " Waidmannsheil" to you, you have to answer with "Waidmannsheil" and not "Waidmannsdank", but if your guide is not a hunter, you have to answer with "Waidmannsdank" That always a little crazy fo foreigns and complicated.....But in Germany the hunting has something together with the navy in Great Britain: it consists primarly of, colour, tradition and stupid rules! jumping
 
Posts: 561 | Location: northern Germany | Registered: 26 February 2005Reply With Quote
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Life and language here in the new world is more simple and direct we say;

"Goodonya mate"!

This translates to Weidmannsheil when used in the hunting context.

In general use a simple "Goodonya" or "Good on you" by the articulate, is said by both males and females when affirming support for a good deed or attitude.

Copula ergo sum.
 
Posts: 1374 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 10 February 2005Reply With Quote
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'or "Good on you" by the articulate' animal
Oh you antipodean rapscallions with your charming informalities Wink

Anyway I know some Kiwis who say 'Good as' when affirming aforementioned good deed or attitude, shorthand I am informed for Good as gold.

Perhaps Saeed would like to share with us his traditional hunting greetings? Although those he uses for Walter may be best left unpublished!!!!!!!!!!


Z
 
Posts: 188 | Location: staffordshire | Registered: 30 August 2005Reply With Quote
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"heil to the hunter", used as an expression of "good hunting" desire, in its most abarcative significance (good troophy, good shot, good stalking).... like saying: enjoy the hunt before, during and after it ... as it was said before, it has a correlative meaning with the due respect with which the prey should be treated, specially when taken ....

I love those german traditions !


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Posts: 1325 | Registered: 08 February 2003Reply With Quote
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I've just read in a magazine;
"onya" a shortend version of goodonya
I suppose this translates to just heil which is quite sufficient.
Smiler
 
Posts: 1374 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 10 February 2005Reply With Quote
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