[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.