"Last Bite" question

[richard adamson]

In the spirit of "Waidmann's Heil", would you give a "last bite branch" to carnivores, scavangers, and reptiles (mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, alligators, large snakes etc.)? I'm sure you would give one to a bear since they are omnivores. I feel ALL should get a "wound branch" and a blooded one for the hunter....but what would be politically correct? I have never seen or heard anything specific about. Just food for thought. sincerely, Rick

[mike ford]

In the spirit of "Waidmann's Heil", would you give a "last bite branch" to carnivores, scavangers, and reptiles (mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, alligators, large snakes etc.)? I'm sure you would give one to a bear since they are omnivores. I feel ALL should get a "wound branch" and a blooded one for the hunter....but what would be politically correct? I have never seen or heard anything specific about. Just food for thought. sincerely, Rick

Rick,
The Last Bite (Letzer Bissen) goes to the male of cloven-hoofed game and Auerhahn as well as Birkhahn( when allowed to be hunted).
I'm not sure what you mean by "wound branch", if you mean the ownership branch (Inbesitznahmebruch), it is placed on the animal's body, usually over the bullet hole(the animal should be on it's right side so it could be over either the entrance or exit wound). If anyone comes upon the animal, this branch shows them that it has been claimed and someone is returning for it.The broken end of the branch points toward the head of male animals.
If you mean the Shot Branch (Anschussbruch). It is an armslength branch(with bark still on it) placed into the ground at the place the animal was standing when shot. This doesn't convey any kind of honor, rather it is used as an aid in trailing a wounded animal( sometimes you may have to come back to the spot with a dog, or if you send someone else back, they can find where to start trailing).
The Hunter's Branch(Schuetzenbruch) is given to the hunter following the kill of cloven hoofed game,Auerhahn, Birkhahn, and Fox ( Fox doesn't get a Last Bite, because they don't usually eat branches). This branch is dipped into the blood(Schweiss) of the animal and presented to the hunter on the knife or hat of the guide or person in charge of the hunt.The presentation is made with a "Waidmannsheil"and answered with a "Waidmannsdank". If the animal was found with the help of a dog, the handler presents the branch to the hunter, who returns a piece of it to the dog's handler, who in turn breaks off another piece and places it in the dog's collar.This is the hunter's way of showing appreciation for a job well done.The schutzenbruch is worn in the hatband on the rightside.If the hunter is by himself, he should get his own Schutzenbruch.
Are we confused enough yet?
Mike

[richard adamson]

Thanks. So the females (cloven-hoof) DON'T get the Letzer Bissen? I didn't know that. Rick

[mike ford]

That's right Rick( Jenny Craig must have had a chapter there).
Mike

[Axel E]

Mike is entirely right here. Wrote up this in Waidmannsheil! #37 some years ago. Only males of antler or horn-bearing game species get the last bite. So omnivorous boars and bears are out here too. BTW, the "Inbesitznahmebruch" original meaning seems to be an age-old habit of hunters: The Bushmen do the same thing after trailing an animal. As some African game like Giraffe or eland is a bit heavy to carry home, the placed a twig in the mouth of the animal and another on top before going home to bring their family to the meal. This told any other bushman passing by that the carcass already was owned by someone.

[Craig Havener]

Very interesting post, thanks for sharing!
Best,
Craig