Some time ago an engineer from Germany visited the company I work for and was given a tour by the boss. When brought to my shop / office area the first thing he noticed was the modest elk shoulder mount and deer antlers on the wall. The guy's eyes lit up and he enthuasistically shook my hand, saying something that sounded like "vaidmenshail."

He spoke English and wanted to know where I got the wapiti and what caliber I used. (I was surprised that a German would know the name "wapiti" although I do know that elk in Europe = moose here.) Unfortunately I don't know German and was too embarassed to ask what "vaidmenshail" means. The online German / English translation sites are no help but no doubt that's because I've got the spelling wrong.

Can anybody sort out my obviously bad transcription of "vaidmenshail" and tell me the meaning / significance of it?

Kind of like Sieg Heil, but salutes your skill as a hunter. It was a compliment. It's actually Weidmann's Heil if you want to google it. Lot of Germans, especially Professionals, spend time over here, hunt as well, so don't be surprised by their knowledge.

Grizz

Thanks! I figured it probably had something to do with hunting.

It's spelled "Waidmannsheil" and can be used as a greeting, to wish somebody good luck on a hunt or to congratulate for a hunting success

Big-Elk,

He was using the term as a greeting from one Hunter to another.

Weidmannsheil or Waidmannsheil (both spellings are acceptable - actually it's a BADHTDI - "Beating a Dead Horse to Death Issue" on the two spellings)

In Teuton Land it is the Hunter's Greeting and loosely translated or a jist would be:

Waidmann = Woodsman, Ethical Hunter, or Sportsman, and

Heil = greeting/salutation.

So you know, for next time; since you're a Waidmann, too - simply stick out your hand, smile & say "Waidmannsheil! (V-eyed-mahns-h-eye-l) in return!

quote:

Originally posted by Bigasanelk:
...the first thing he noticed was the modest elk shoulder mount and deer antlers on the wall. The guy's eyes lit up and he enthuasistically shook my hand, saying something that sounded like "vaidmenshail."

In the exact context described above, your German hunting acquaintance was using the term "Weidmannsheil" to congratulate you for your success on the elk/wapiti.

The term Weidmannsheil is - as Gerry described - a general hunters greeting. But it is also used to wish a fellow hunter luck on an impending hunt, congratulate a fellow hunter for game succesfully taken or even to salute a fellow hunter when sharing a drink (plus other meanings?).

The exact meaning of the salutation depends on the context in which it is used, and so does the answer.

In the context you described above (salutation for successfully taken game) the correct answer would have been "Weidmannsdank" ("Hunters Salute" is answered with a "Hunters Thanks").

If, as Gerry describes above, "Weidmannsheil" is used as a general salutation - or a salute during drinking, the correct answer would have been "Weidmannsheil".

Don't worry about the getting the answer exactly right, if your German friend sticks around long enough, you'll pick it up.

The German designation for a "North American Elk" is "Wapiti", so no surprise your German friend used that word. And yes, you are right about the word "Elk" (or "Elg") being used for moose in Europe.

- mike

But when used as you drink, make sure to raise your glass with the left hand, otherwise the next round will be on you !!!

ok now that we've made basics lets move on - or should I say:

"Ho’ Rüd’ Ho’" (with left naturally - since my right hand is holding a girl or a dagger)

As everybody can see, there is more to hunting in Central Europe than just pulling the trigger... Don't worry about possible confusion, it will all become clearer with time...

- mike

quote:

Heil = greeting/salutation

And there´re a few other combinations. Like "Schutzen Heil", for target shooters, "Berg Heil" for mountaineer and "Petri Heil" for fishermans.
After 1918, some political groups used this word for their own purposes. Unfortunately, the everywhere on the earth known is "Sieg Heil".

Martin

I agree with Mike in this case, he was congratulating you on your Wapiti, so the correct response would have been Waidmannsdank. Customs and tradition make the German, and in general European, hunting community much more tightly knit than in other lands, for one, all with a Jagdschein have learned and should know the basics. When a Waidmannsheil toast is made, we usually get a free round out of someone though

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
As everybody can see, there is more to hunting in Central Europe than just pulling the trigger... Don't worry about possible confusion, it will all become clearer with time...

- mike

One of the beautiful things about hunting in Europe!