Schützenfest Neubukow

Shooting Tradition with a Long History

The Neubukow Marksmen's Club 1858/1990 e.V. represents a shooting tradition that reaches far back in Neubukow — written evidence dates back to 1741. The current club continues this history in the small town in the Rostock district and fosters a broad club life with sport shooting, archery, and youth work. The Schützenfest with the eagle shooting is the convivial highlight of the club year.

Eagle Shooting on May 1st

Following old tradition, the eagle shooting takes place every year on May 1st. The focus is on a wooden eagle mounted on a high pole. The active marksmen and markswomen take turns shooting, trying to shoot down the individual parts of the eagle — wings, crown, scepter, and finally the body. Whoever hits the last part becomes the marksmen's king or queen. It's a test of patience: in some years, the last remnant falls only after hundreds of shots.

Community, Trophies, and Socializing

The Schützenfest is more than just a competition. Around the eagle shooting, members, families, and guests spend May 1st together at the shooting range on Berghausener Straße. There are prizes for the individual parts of the eagle that are hit, and the best marksmen are honored with trophies. The club awards other prizes throughout the year — such as challenge trophies and memorial shoots — but the eagle shooting on May 1st remains the event that brings the club community together most strongly.

A Piece of Neubukow Identity

Schützenfeste have shaped rural club life in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for generations. In Neubukow, the festival combines sporting tradition with local heritage and sociability. It is an occasion where long-time residents, newcomers, and guests meet — and where the town's long shooting history is brought to life anew each year.