Hunters At Heart: Daniel Weh

Daniel Weh, Head of Sales – DACH here at Outfit International, is the next hunter in our Hunters At Heart articles.

"In Germany we call it the Green High School Diploma. You don't just learn to shoot and kill, no, it's much more than that. To pass you must know everything about animal diseases, law, nature, forest and of course animals ... To see and understand nature differently. Be humble towards her, she gives you everything back in an impressive way."

What inspired you to become a hunter? What sparked your interest?

As a small child of kindergarten age, we always collected chestnuts for a hunter in our village and got 50 cents per kilogram. That was a highlight for me every year, so I was able to supplement my pocket money from an early age. When the hunter once took me along to do feeding with the chestnuts, my interest was piqued.

We used to spend a lot of time outdoors in nature, in the forest and by the water. I was always fishing with my grandfather from a young age. Then I got my fishing license when I was 14.

During my studies and my part-time job at Jagdwaffen Blaser, I decided to get my hunting license.

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What does hunting mean to you???

For me, hunting means more than just killing animals. Yes, it's part of it, but it's not everything.

I enjoy spending time out in nature to switch off, let my mind wander and recharge my batteries. The best ideas come to me when I'm out at night, looking from the high seat, watching everything and waiting for the wild boars.

What’s a hunt that’s stuck with you???

You never forget the first ones...

My first roebuck. On the day I got my hunting license, I went out with my hunting mentor to hunt roe deer in the evening. He wanted me to be successful that day, and as he knew his hunting ground like the back of his hand, he knew exactly where we had to sit to make it work. And indeed, after about 45 minutes, a yearling moved directly to the open area. He released him to me, and I let the bullet fly.

Like my first wild boar and drinking dead of this. The next day I fell asleep in front of my computer in the office.

I will also never forget my first stag, it was a long shot, but I took my time and was completely focused, and everything fell into place.

Just like my first mouflon with my wife. After an ice-cold night in the closed high seat, the moufflons went out into the field early in the morning. We had always heard them behind us beforehand and were afraid that they would get wind of us and move on, but they decided to come.

Also, my first chamois again together with my hunting mentor and good friend in the Austrian Alps. I wanted a head-shoulder specimen of this one. So, I gave it to our taxidermist. He got Covid and forgot the chamois in the tanning liquid. Well, you can guess what the preparation looks like today...

– But my favourite of all is the first buck together with my son. And the next first will be with my girl.??

What’s something you would like a non-hunter to understand?

?Hunting is the world's oldest craft.

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What’s something people would be surprised to know about hunting???

That you must study a lot to get your hunting license. In Germany we call it the Green High School Diploma. You don't just learn to shoot and kill, no, it's much more than that. To pass you must know everything about animal diseases, law, nature, forest and of course animals.

What’s the best thing about hunting??

For me, as a hobby cook and barbecue master, the best thing about hunting is getting very good, healthy meat. You know what the piece of wild in front of you has eaten, where it has lived and that it has died without stress. And this is simply reflected in the quality of the meat. ?

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What’s your best advice for fellow hunters???

Be open to new things, always try to learn, and listen to passionate and experienced hunters.

Trust your instinct and always be ready. ??

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a hunter??

To see and understand nature differently. Be humble towards her, she gives you everything back in an impressive way.

Enjoy your time outside, switch off, focus and concentrate.

Enjoy the many beautiful moments with your family and hunting friends, and try to pass on your knowledge of hunting to non-hunters.