---
title: "Marksmen's dinner - the Schützenmahl"
url: "https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/erleben/kultur-brauchtum/artikel/detail/3963/schuetzenmahl-dachstein-salzkammergut.html"
description: "Shooting is an important custom in the Inner Salzkammergut. Especially in the autumn time in the valleys the \"Schützentanz\" (marksmen's dance) is a highlight of the year."
date: 2013-10-03
modified: 2026-03-06
---

# Marksmen's dinner - the Schützenmahl

Marksmen's dance - the "Schützentanz"
=====================================

**Shooting is an important custom in the Inner Salzkammergut. Especially in the autumn time in the valleys the "Schützentanz" (marksmen's dance) is a highlight of the year.**

Where there's firecrackers, there's marksmen
--------------------------------------------

The **shooting range and hut are festively decorated**, the main stand is equipped with a **firecracker**, which is triggered when a particularly nice shot is fired. **The "best"** - mostly silk cloths - are attached to the so-called "flag tree", and the last prize, **the damage-friendly "Schneiderbest"** (cloth with scissors), is also included. The huts of the marksmen are decorated with the **traditional "Bischerl"** (small bush) **and rosemary** (standing for single, lying for married).

Die nachfolgende Bildergalerie ist mittels Pfeiltasten (links, rechts) bedienbar.

  © Copyright öffnen  © Armbrustschütze (Foto: Viorel Munteanu) Copyright schließen

 [      ![Armbrustschütze beim geschmückten Schiessstand (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin/_processed_/5/7/csm_Armbrustschuetzen-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu_01638a1a91.jpg "Armbrustschütze (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

 ](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin//user_upload/dachstein-salzkammergut/ra/HandwerkBrauchtum/Armbrustschuetzen-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu.jpg "Armbrustschütze (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

  © Copyright öffnen  © Prangerschuetze am Hallstättersee (Foto: Viorel Munteanu) Copyright schließen

 [      ![Prangerschützen schießen über den Hallstättersee (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin/_processed_/2/c/csm_Prangerschuetzen-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu_ebbeae505a.jpg "Prangerschuetze am Hallstättersee (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

 ](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin//user_upload/dachstein-salzkammergut/ra/HandwerkBrauchtum/Prangerschuetzen-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu.JPG "Prangerschuetze am Hallstättersee (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

  © Copyright öffnen  © Schiessstätte für Schützen (Foto: Viorel Munteanu) Copyright schließen

 [      ![Vor dem Schützenmahl werden alle Schiesstätten geschmückt (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin/_processed_/d/8/csm_Schuetzen-Schiessstaette-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu_a718e398f8.jpg "Schiessstätte für Schützen (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

 ](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin//user_upload/dachstein-salzkammergut/ra/HandwerkBrauchtum/Schuetzen-Schiessstaette-Hallstatt-Foto-Viorel-Munteanu.JPG "Schiessstätte für Schützen (Foto: Viorel Munteanu)")

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**Let's go to the "Schützentanz"**

The **shooting is the main action** at the **"Schützenmahl" (markmen's dinner)** and takes place according to exact rules and in traditional order and is **accompanied musically** by the side whistles and a drummer. When all shooters have fired their shots at **Invention, Gams (mountain goat) and "Haupt" (head)**, the **"Schützenzug" forms up** in the direction of the tavern **to the "Schützentanz"**. The musicians march ahead, then the flag bearers follow, the next one is the target with the joke disc, then the marksman with the staff.

**The "Schützenmahl"** is the high point of every markmen's year, this is usually celebrated on Sunday, this is left however to each association. The following Monday is used for the "Blawön", for "Blaumachen" (relaxing) - mostly connected with an excursion or the comfortable sitting together in the shooting range.

 More information can be obtained directly from the **[Austrian Crossbow Association](http://www.armbrustverband.at/ "Austrian Crossbow Association")**. **Guests are also cordially invited** to come and **take part in the traditional "Schützenmahl"** in one of the many shooting ranges in autumn!