While not exclusively Germanic, the tradition was primarily embraced by German-speaking people.
Tradition has it that centuries ago an eagle swooped down to carry off a baby.
A passing hunter shot the eagle, thus saving the baby from certain death. The hunter was thereafter highly regarded, and an annual celebration honoring shooting ability evolved. In Europe the format for determining shooting ability differs in two basic ways. In the contest, it is shot to pieces by the shooters, who queue up and shoot one at a time. The shooter downing various designated pieces, such as the wing, foot, or head, is awarded prize money.