Original Item: Only One Available. Deutsche Jägerschaft ('German Hunting Society') was the official hunting society in NSDAP Germany, 1934–1945. Membership was mandatory for all who possessed a hunting license. This is a lovely gilt alloy table medal measuring 3 1/8" across, which we believe was given out to members for that particular year, or maybe just to people who donated to support it. It looks to be made of aluminum alloy or zinc, and has an antiqued gold coating on the exterior. It displays the insignia of the organization, a stag skull with antlers surrounded by D. J., and with a swas in a starburst inside the antlers. There are oak leaves and acorns around the border of the medal, and at the bottom is the hand inscribed date of 1935.

Overall condition is very good, with the original finish very well retained on the front and back, which is also marked GES. GESCH., indicating it is a protected design. There is some wear to the finish around the edges, as is typical. This would make a great addition to any German WW2 collection.

The Deutsche Jägerschaft was created through the Reichsjagdgesetz ('National Hunting Act') of 1934. Existing hunting societies were disbanded and the membership transferred to the new society.

The group mission was typical of NSDAP organizations:-
- Educate the hunting community to practice an ethical hunting culture.
- Preserve the wildlife population unchanged to the benefit of future generations.
- Jews were excluded from membership even if they owned hunting grounds.

The Deutsche Jägerschaft was a statutory corporation with mandatory membership for all who possessed a hunting license. The membership was in hunting matters subordinate to the jurisdiction of the Deutsche Jägerschaft through its system of honorary courts. Deutsche Jägerschaft was led by Hermann Göring, as Reichsjägermeister, and was governed by the Führerprinciple. Elected officials did not exist; all functionaries were appointed by their superiors in the internal chain of command. Göring's deputy and leader of the daily work was Walter von Keudell until 1937. Administrative leader was Oberstjägermeister Ulrich Scherping.

Deutsche Jägerschaft was organized in a number of Jagdgaue. Some Länder had a Landesjägermeister as leader of the Gaujägermeisters. Each Jagdgau contained a number of Jagdkreise under a Kreisjägermeister. Each Jagdkreis had a number of Hegeringen ('Game Management Areas') under a Hegeringsleiter. Thüringen, for instance, formed a Jagdgau with 15 Jagdkreise that were state wildlife agencies. The Institute für Jagdkunde ('Hunting Science Institute') and the Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Handfeuerwaffen ('German Research Station for Small Arms') also came under the Deutsche Jägerschaft.