"Hey ya wanna go snipe huntin?" Most likely when that questions asked some poor sap is going to wind up out in the middle of the woods holding a bag wondering where all his buddies went. But i am here to tell you that there is such a thing as a snipe and yes we do hunt it. A snipe is a small ground dwelling bird a little smaller that a quail. In my area we have 2 different species, the Jack snipe and the Killdeer snipe. Both species are quite edible and quite tasty , although small.
I've always been an avid bird hunter from turkey and pheasant to dove and quail. I have always enjoyed hunting small game since i was a boy and I find snipe to be one of the most challenging to bag. A snipe when flushed presents a very fast moving small target and darts in different directions very quickly making a rather difficult shot even harder.
Hunting snipe is not the easiest task either, first they are quite elusive and as I said they are small so when they do show themselves they are hard to hit. Using a dog who is trained to flush birds is a good idea. As far as eating snipe it is quite good cooked using your favorite quail or chicken recipes.
I still remember when we moved to Iowa from West Virginia, where there is no snipe (except the ones you hunt with a bag),it came time to get my first hunting license and i received a copy of the Iowa hunting laws and seasons when i seen snipe season. I looked at my dad who had accompanied me a said "Dad they got a season out here for messin with folks". Ever since can remember snipe hunting has always been an age old joke played on your gullible buddies anytime the opportunity arises.
First you tell them all about the snipe are just running around out there in the woods. And how good they are to eat not to mention all the fun you have. Then just before dark declare that this will be a perfect night to hunt snipe. Take your mark out to the woods and go in aways so it will make it hard to see after dark then give them a bag or pillow case and tell them to hold it open on the ground so they can catch the snipe when you chase them to them. And of course they can't have a flashlight because it will scare the snipe. Get them all set and head off to start corralling snipe to your victim, at which point you head on home and leave your pal to stew for awhile.
Yes it is a very dirty trick, but it is pretty darn funny the next morning when you go back to pick up your dejcted freind. Although your buddy may be mad for a while it won't be too long before you will all have a good laugh and start planning "who's next."